Grace Fitzgerald

Grace Catherine Fitzgerald passed away on November 29, 2021, at her home in Hermantown, Minnesota. She was born on March 6, 2003 in Duluth, Minnesota. Grace lived her life to the fullest despite the significant challenges that Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy, presented to her. Grace was a beacon of light and love, always seeking a hug or a high-five from those around her. She easily found joy and genuine happiness in simple things. Grace was known to enthusiastically break into song and dance at every opportunity, especially if a Trolls, High School Musical, or Descendants soundtrack was at her fingertips.

She will be missed dearly by her parents, Paul and Sara Fitzgerald; siblings, Mary, Thomas, Rosie, Caroline, and Lucy; paternal grandparents, Carol Fitzgerald, Francis and Heather Fitzgerald; maternal grandparents, Jim and Sally Strle; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who blessed her abundantly with love and attention throughout her life.
The family is eternally grateful to Dr. Elaine Wirrell of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for the tremendous care and compassion shown to Grace throughout her journey with Dravet, and to paraprofessional Debbie Ebel and the many teachers and school staff that lovingly supported Grace over many years in school.

Mass of Christian Burial is at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 3rd at St. John’s Catholic Church, 4230 St Johns Ave, Duluth, MN 55803. Visitation one hour prior to Mass, luncheon to follow. Interment at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks those wishing to support all children and families coping with Dravet Syndrome to consider a memorial donation to the Epilepsy Foundation’s SUDEP Institute (https://www.epilepsy.com/about-us/our-programs/about-sudep-institute) and/or the Dravet Syndrome Foundation (https://www.dravetfoundation.org/).