Rose Marie Fitzgerald

Rose Marie Fitzgerald passed away peacefully at her home in Grand Junction, Colorado, on October 21, 2024. She was 86 years old. She was surrounded by her three sons, daughter in laws, grandchildren, and friends.
 
Rose had many nicknames during her life including Rose, Rosemary, Charlie, and Char. She was full of energy and mischief throughout her life, so all these names fit her depending upon the times. As she often said to us, her life wasn't a smooth ride but it sure was a wild and interesting one! 
 
Rose is survived by her three sons and their wives: Doug and Yacqueline Hackbarth, Kurt and Teresa Hackbarth, and Karl and Pat Hackbarth. She loved making and sharing gifts with her kids and her ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren who gave her so much joy. She considered her niece Britney Rose her grandchild too. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jack Fitzgerald, who died in March of 2022. She missed her sweetheart Jack dearly until the day she died. 
 
Rose Marie was born on August 19, 1938, in Aspen, Colorado, to Ekhart and Mabel Bionaz. She was raised by her mother and stepfather Ed Tekoucich in Aspen, CO, along with her sister and brother who preceded her in death. She attended Aspen High School and lived in the Roaring Fork Valley until 1992, when she moved to Grand Junction. She had 3 children with her first husband Gib Hackbarth who she divorced in 1967. She married her soul mate and lifelong partner Jack Fitzgerald in 1977. Together with Jack, they loved and raised their seven combined children including her own three sons along with four stepchildren Rauna Sarno, Alan Fitzgerald, Dale Fitzgerald and Randy Fitzgerald. They enjoyed attending and celebrating the special events in their lives along with their family most of all. 
 
We remember our mom Rose as having a quick wit. She found joy in everything she did. She worked hard her whole life, taking pride in any job she did, whether a maid, laundry worker, cook, or rancher. That pride and work ethic is passed on to her children. She made the best homemade potato salad you ever tasted to go along with Jack's special BBQ chicken, which they always served at their large backyard gatherings.  She approached everything she did with enthusiasm and humor. She was the self-proclaimed queen of persevering and reinventing herself through the good times and the rough patches. 
 
Our Mom Rose was incredibly creative, adding colorful flair and passion to her creative work; whether arranging flowers, painting ceramics, raising pets, gardening, or working in her intricate coloring books. She loved to create and paint her old-world ceramic Santas. We all have some of her ceramics in our homes as an enduring, fragile reminder of her love, spirit, and thoughtfulness.
 
A memorial service is scheduled on June 21 at 11:00 at the Grand Junction Eagle’s Club. Rose and Jack will be laid to rest in their final place which they lovingly picked out together. All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend and celebrate Rose Marie’s long, interesting life. 
 
The family would like to thank Rose's family and many lifelong friends such as Jackie, Marion, Kim, Maureen, hairdresser Joanne, Paula, Judy, Sharon, Brother Tyler & his family, and her personal caregiver doctor Dr. Monique, and Hope West Hospice for their love and support in caring for her, especially in her final days. Your love, concern, care, and support helped her live a long, happy, and fulfilling life!