FITZGERALD, JESSIE FENTON Jessie F. Fitzgerald was born in Albuquerque, March 31, 1930, daughter of Elijah MacLean Jr. (Mac) and Alice Brown Fenton. Jessie died November 9, 2013 in Albuquerque, following complications from a severe stroke. She grew up in the Jemez Mountains on her parents’ homestead north of the one established by her pioneer Grandfather E.M. Fenton, which came to be the Fenton Mountain and Valley along the Cebolla River canyon. Today, the area is best known as Fenton Lake, developed from land provided by the Reverend E.M. Fenton, who also established a little Presbyterian Church in the area at the turn of the 20th Century. Jessie and her siblings were home schooled by their Mother. Jessie finished high school at Menaul School in Albuquerque, where she found that her mother’s home schooling had been more than adequate. She married R.W. Fitzgerald in 1950, who cowboyed for Gordon Bond in the Valle Grande, now known as the Valles Caldera, where they lived and worked for eight summers in the San Antone cabin and Baca Location. They later worked their small ranch near Cebolla, NM. Following their divorce and overcoming many adversities she obtained a degree in Agriculture Education from NMSU while attending to her sons. She then became the first female County Extension Agent in the USA when she was hired by the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service and was assigned to Valencia County in Grants, NM for 22 years. She helped establish the then new Cibola County and organized progressive 4-H clubs and programs. Following retirement, she was inducted into the NM 4-H Hall of Fame. Jessie was an accomplished horsewoman. While at NMSU, she worked as dude wrangler at Ghost Ranch during summer breaks, and later served as volunteer staff on many week long High Country Wilderness Rides sponsored by Ghost Ranch. Her knowledge of native plants and flowers was a gift she enjoyed sharing with all, as well as with her knowledge of horses, she helped many aspiring young (and old) equestrians achieve confidence and joy in riding, in many settings. Jessie leaves a legacy of a pioneer country girl who achieved a Masters degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, the respect of her colleagues and the people she served. She was dedicated to people’s well-being and provided education and leadership for community improvements throughout her life. She is remembered for one of few words, yet quick dry wit, identifying and acting on the essence of issues, and continuous exploration of her own spirituality while highlighting male gender bias in religious and other institutions. She loved singing, playing guitar and fiddle, stories and “telling yarns,” as she said. Another New Mexico ‘Gem’ has now passed. Jessie is survived by her two sons, Dan S. Fitzgerald of Farmington, NM and George A. Fitzgerald of Belen, NM; grandson Jonathon Pena; and great-grandchildren of Albuquerque; sister Mary Caldwell of Ponderosa, NM; Peggy Keilman, friend of Corrales; numerous other nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, friends and colleagues. She was preceded in death by her former husband Richard W. Fitzgerald, her parents and brothers, Robert M. Fenton, Charles M. Fenton and Stuart M. Fenton. A memorial and celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 30, 1:00 pm at the High Desert Center for Spiritual Living, 5621 Paradise Blvd. NW, Alb., NM.
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Obituary for FITZGERALD
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