Mary Eileen Fitzgerald (January 17, 1923 - May 19, 2021)
Visitation:
John Krtil Funeral Home
1297 1st Ave
New York, NY 10021
Sunday, May 23, 2021
2pm-5pm & 7pm - 9pm
Funeral Mass:
Monday, May 24, 2021
10am at St. John Nepomucene (66th St & 1st Ave)
Burial:
Monday, May 24, 2021
11:45am St. Raymond's Cemetery (Bronx, NY)
On May 19, 2021 Mary Eileen Fitzgerald, pioneer resident of Rivercross, passed on to her reward at 98 years of age. After signing a lease in 1976, she eventually moved into Rivercross. At that time Mary was still working for the New York Police Department (N.Y.P.D.). In 1952 she was sworn into the Department and was considered a pioneer in the field of police work for women. In 1952 there were not many female officers serving the City of New York. She and the other policewomen were called trail-blazers. She herself had never seen or heard of women police prior to her entrance into the Police Department. A friend, referred to by Mary as her “angel friend”, encouraged her to take the entrance examinations which she met with success. Until approximately 1969 policewomen were not permitted to take promotional exams just because they were women. The only way women were given recognition for dedicated and professional police work was by appointment to the grade of Detective as a promotion, which Mary achieved.
Mary was a life-time resident of New York City, having been born in the Bronx to parents who immigrated from Ireland. She was the only survivor of four children, and unfortunately her father died suddenly in 1938 in the heart of the Great Depression. With the values instilled by their father and with their wonderful mother at the helm, they survived the Depression. They had learned from both parents the values, the confidence, and the will to prepare them for life. They were taught by example always to “give back” to friends, their community and to great causes.
After Mary retired from the N.Y.P.D. in 1983, she remained active in volunteer work on Roosevelt Island and also in Manhattan. She volunteered for the Cabrini Thrift Shop, the Homeless Shelter at Good Shepherd, the R.I. Historical Society, St. Frances Cabrini Parish and Byrd Coler Hospital Auxiliary. She also volunteered for Catholic Charities preparing layettes for needy mothers-to-be, at memorial Sloane-Kettering Hospital, the Mary Manning Walsh Home and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
In 2018, Mary was recognized as a New York State Woman of Distinction by the New York State Senate.
She is survived by her nephews, Peter, Mark, Paul, and Vincent; a niece, Jeanne; two grand-nieces, Lauren and Marissa Fitzgerald; and a grand-nephew, John Fitzgerald. The Quality of Mary’s Life was extended by her loving caregivers: Maritza, Blanca, Kamo, Shalini.
Visitation will be at John Krtil Funeral Home on Sunday May 23, 2021 from 2pm-5pm & 7pm-9pm. Mass of Christian Burial 10AM on Monday May 24, 2021 at St. John Nepomucene Roman Catholic Church (66th St & 1st Ave). Interment to follow at St. Raymond’s Cemetery Bronx, NY at 11:45AM.
*En lieu of flowers donations to the St. Francis of Assisi Breadline, which has been distributing food to the Homeless on a daily basis since 1930, may be sent to St. Francis of Assisi, 135 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001 #212-736-8500.
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Loeva Bernard passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026, at the age of 96. She was born in Cottonwood Falls Kansas on September 12, 1929. She was preceded in death by her husband Arther Bernard and her brother, Charles F. Klamm and his wife Carol J. Klamm and a nephew Daniel E. Klamm. She is survived by her nephews David L. (Regina) Klamm and Kenneth G. (Trish) Klamm and her niece Kaylene S. (Charles) Campbell, plus many great nieces and nephews. She was a dearly loved friend of Lee Wolpert. She will be deeply missed and remembered fondly by all those who knew her.
Barbara Lane 1939 – 2026 Barbara Lane passed away peacefully on the morning of February 11th 2026 at the age of 86. Born on September 30th, 1939, at the Polyclinc Hospital, Barbara was a lifelong resident of New York City’s Upper East Side. She was raised alongside her sister Joanne under the loving guidance of her mother Dorothy and her father Edward. She learned her love of culture, refinement and the art of presence from her father Eddie and she gained her strength and grace from her mother and best friend Dorothy. Barbara also cherished her beloved sister, Joanne Elizabeth Kauper, whose strong bond and lifelong friendship was a central part her life. After attending Lady Cliff College Barbara worked for Columbia Presbyterian Hospital before beginning a long and distinguished career at the Waldorf Astoria Towers. She was often referred to as “the face of the towers” and served as a gracious host and confidant to celebrities, world leaders and stewards of industry. What defined Barbara was her ability to make every guest feel valued and genuinely important regardless of prominence or position. Barbara cherished her lifelong friendships with her colleagues that were not only based in camaraderie but represented their loyalty and genuine affection for each other. Barbara was well known for her calligraphy. The Waldorf often commissioned her for this exceptional talent. This skill reflected her precision, artistry, and impeccable standards. Her professional life later continued in the world of fine art and hospitality at Christies Auction House where her appreciation for beauty and detail remained a constant and she developed important lasting friendships with her colleagues. Barbara was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, loyal friend and a woman of deep Catholic faith. Barbara is survived by her sister‘s husband G Gerard Kauper, her nieces and nephews Lane Elizabeth Kauper Peterson, Gabrielle, Khristina, Gerard, Nicholas, George, Edward, Joseph and Christian Kauper, Chelsea Wolf, Whitney Peterson, Yanory Valerio, her great-niece's Genevieve Peterson, Cassandra Robinson and great-nephew’s George Peterson, Justin, George, Gavin, Nicholas and Anthony Kauper.
Linda Baylis-Mallia, of Manhattan, New York, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026, at the age of 79. Born on September 9, 1946, in New York City, she was a proud New Yorker through and through. Linda earned her undergraduate degree from City College of New York and her master’s degree from Columbia University, before going on to build the Baylis-Mallia Group. Linda approached life with curiosity and style. She loved traveling the world, exploring New York City’s newest galleries and restaurants, and, of course, shopping at Bloomingdale’s. She is survived by her devoted husband, Anthony. Linda will be remembered as a true New Yorker and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
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Jacqueline (Niego) Turner of Manhattan, New York, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026, at the age of 88. Born on March 4, 1937, in the Bronx, she was the beloved daughter of Olga and Joseph Niego. A proud New Yorker through and through, Jacqueline built a life defined by devotion—to her family, her faith, and her work. After graduating from Cathedral High School in New York City, she spent over three decades serving the United States Government with dedication and professionalism before continuing her career in the private sector with more than two decades at Bristol Myers Squibb. Her strong work ethic and commitment to excellence earned her the respect of colleagues across the years. In 1994, Jacqueline married Nicholas Turner, with whom she shared a deep faith and a love of dancing until his passing. Together, they made their home in Manhattan, where Jacqueline lived for the remainder of her life. Jacqueline was a lifelong and active member of the Catholic Church, serving faithfully as a lector for many decades. Her voice, presence, and reverence were well known and cherished within her parish community. Outside of work and church, Jacqueline was an avid New York Yankees fan, and she found great joy in ballroom dancing— a passion that brought her friendship and movement. Jacqueline is survived by her loving sister, Maureen Selskis, and by her many nieces and nephews: Joseph Niego, Michael Niego, James Niego, Kathleen Lawson, Patrick Callahan, Jeanne Confehr, Jacqueline Selskis, Mary Carney, and Albert Selskis. She was a devoted and cherished aunt, great-aunt, and great-great-aunt, and she leaves behind many great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews who will forever hold her memory close. She is preceded in death by her siblings Joseph Niego, Nora Niego and Victoria Callahan, whom she loved dearly. Jacqueline will be remembered as a devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and great-great-aunt; a woman of faith; a loyal friend; and a true New Yorker who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
June 28,1932—January 15, 2026 New York City, New York
