Glover, VT – Lula Belle Fitzgerald, 81, formerly of Rutland, VT, died Sunday March 5, 2017 at North Country Hospital in Newport, VT.

She was born January 11, 1936 in Galloway, OH a daughter of Roy Cecil and Gladys Rose (Cochrun) Smith. Lula Belle grew up and attended school in Columbus, OH and after graduating from high school enlisted in the US Air Force. She served from 1953 until 1955 as an airplane plotter in Texas, Mississippi and later in Syracuse, NY where she met Donald Fitzgerald. They were married February 16, 1955 and began their family in Plattsburg, NY and Naples, Italy and later lived in Minot, ND while Mr. Fitzgerald continued to serve in the Air Force. After his discharge they settled in Rutland, VT where she raised their eight children and helped to run the family business, D&H Electronics and later State TV both in Rutland. Mrs. Fitzgerald moved to Glover to live with her daughter due to poor health and has lived there for the past 17 years. Her family wishes a special thanks to all of her caretakers including Tabitha Armstrong, Danielle Cochran, Layna Wells, Alyssa Murray and all the nurses from the VNA.

Lula Belle was an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles. Most of all she loved her family and extended family and was lovingly know as "Nana" by not only her 70 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but by all who knew and loved her. She was also a past member of the Moose Club in Rutland.

She was predeceased by her husband, Donald Fitzgerald Sr. in 2011 as well two brothers Jack Gardner and Joseph Smith; a son-in-law Allen Cochran and daughter-in-law Laurie Fitzgerald.

She leaves three daughters Earlene Rawlett and her husband Rob of Titusville, FL, Theresa Lemay and her husband Alan of East Pittsford, VT and Tammy Cochran and her partner Scott Hubbard of Glover, VT; five sons Donald Fitzgerald Jr. of Charlestown, NH, Robert Fitzgerald Sr. of Danby, VT, Wayne Fitzgerald, Sr. and his wife Mary Ellen of Rutland, VT, John Fitzgerald and his wife Elyse of Von Ormy, TX and Clyde Fitzgerald of Rutland, VT; 28 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren; a brother Russell Gardner of Columbus, OH and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2PM at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct. Burial will be in the Cheney Hill Cemetery in Rutland Town in June.

In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to the VNA/Hospice of Orleans/Essex, 46 Lakemont Rd, Newport, VT 05855