Suzanne F. McGettigan

Suzanne Fitzgerald McGettigan was born in San Francisco, CA on February 18, 1939 to Fredrick F. Fitzgerald and Lorraine M. Fitzgerald. On July 14, 2019, Sue left us to be with the angels. She valiantly battled, and repeatedly beat, lung cancer for ten years. In the final days of her illness, she was surrounded by her loving family. She left us peacefully and with a smile on her face.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend, who was always there for you when you needed a warm hug or comforting words. She spent many years at home raising her four children. In the nineties, after they were grown and succeeding on their own, she returned to work in telecommunications, working in accounting. Sue loved her job and the people she worked with, and in return, they loved her. She continued to work until two years ago, at age 78.

Throughout her life, and during her illness, Sue traveled extensively. After her cancer diagnosis, and while still working, and in between treatments, she traveled to China and Italy with friends, France and Mexico with family, and visited her children and grandchildren several times in Austin, Phoenix, Wichita, and San Francisco. Most recently, she traveled in March with her family to Charleston, SC, to celebrate her 80^th birthday.

Sue was tenacious, persistent, always cheerful, selfless, and had a hilarious sense of humor, right up until she left us. In fact, in her last few days, as the hospice nurses changed her into a leopard print nightgown, she commented that she ""might be a little too tired to go on a safari that day!"" She was the glue that held our family together, and the rock that kept us steady in the wind. She celebrated our achievements, and shared our losses. She taught us about strength, perseverance, resilience, and she had more grit than any person we have known. She was often referred to by her children as the ""Energizer Bunny"" or the ""Cat with Nine Lives.""

She is preceded in death by her husband, Toland Charles McGettigan, Jr; her brother, Bradlee James Fitzgerald; and her grandson, Andrew Patrick Sargent.

She is survived by her children: Kerry Sargent (Peter); Kevin McGettigan (Debbie); Kathleen Rudi (Erik); Toley McGettigan III (Kristine); Grandchildren: Ryan Sargent, Daniel and Maura McGettigan, Justin and Emma Rudi, and Connor and Keely McGettigan; Sister: Geraldine Fitzgerald; Brother-in-law: Neal McGettigan (Barbara); and, nieces and nephews: Karen Holt, Lisa Cuneo, Fred Fitzgerald, and Matt McGettigan.

A memorial service and reception celebrating Suzanne's life will be held Friday, August 2, 2019, at 11:00 am, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church., 8035 S. Quebec St., Englewood, CO 80112.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Sue's name to:

Porter Hospice Foundation
2525 S Downing St
Mason Hall, 2^nd Floor
Denver, CO 80210

Or online at PorterHospiceFoundation.org

Memorial Celebration: August 2, 2019 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

St. Thomas More Catholic Church
8035 S Quebec Street
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 770-1155

Reception: August 2, 2019 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

St. Thomas More Catholic Church
8035 S Quebec Street
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 770-1155