Catherine Adele (Oliveira) Fitzgerald

In the affectionate company of family and friends, Catherine passed away and returned to the loving hands of the Lord on Saturday, March 16, 2019. She was 77 years old.

Catherine whole-heartedly collected countless numbers of young people and families, acting as their honorary mom or auntie. She loved deeply and fiercely with a great sense of humor. Often, she could be found expressing that affection by sharing her gift of cooking and crafting. Much of the experience in the kitchen was gained as a child of a Portuguese community near Boston, where she lived with her parents and brother Richard. As a young woman there, Catherine also enjoyed working as a hairdresser with her mother.

She met her husband, Carlton, and they married when Catherine was 21. After having her son Mark, they moved to Pepperell to build their first home in the 1960’s. Here she became a part of the small-town community as a Cub Scout den mother, working at the local newspaper, The Times Free Press and staying close with her neighbors in the tight knit community on Oakland Road. After Carl was hurt and no longer able to work, she supported her family as a long-time supervisor at Whistler Electronics.

Her love of family grew when Mark married and gave Catherine two beloved grandchildren, Adam and Sarah. She adored her status as the ever proud, doting Nana of the family.

In 2004, Catherine sadly lost Carl to cancer, she was also predeceased by her brother Richard Oliveira. She continued to be consistent force in the community becoming and important figure at the Pepperell Senior Center. She took particular pride in being part of the center newsletter.


Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours in the McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main St. Pepperell, MA on Thursday, March 21 from 5 to 8 PM. A graveside service will be held in Woodlawn Cemetery, 40 Heald St. Pepperell, on Friday, March 22 at 11 AM.