Jeanette Kilmer “Jeanie” Fitzgerald passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, September 18 at Bayhealth Sussex Campus in Milford. She was 83.
Jeanie was born in Milford, the daughter of the late Walter Kilmer and Jeanette Mabel Griffith Betts. She attended Milford High School where she played basketball, serving as the State Championship team. She was also a member of the field hockey team before she graduated in 1961.
After high school, Jeanie went to work as a telephone operator on the switchboard at DuPont in New York City where she also modeled on the side. Later, she moved back to Delaware and worked for ILC in Felton, assisting in the production of spacesuits worn by astronauts who went to the moon.
In 1966, Jeannie married the love of her life, Gene Fitzgerald, and the couple moved to California. In the early 1970s, Gene and Jeanie moved back to Milford to start a family. They purchased the Kent and Sussex Inn in 1974, located in the Windsor Hotel. In 1989, they purchased Park Place, operating both businesses until 1996 when they sold the Kent and Sussex Inn.
Jeanie continued to manage Park Place up until her death. She loved her family and enjoyed sharing time with grandchildren who were the focus of her life.
Jeanie is survived by her son, Christopher Fitzgerald and his wife, Angela; her daughter, Erin Spatz; six grandchildren, Jacob Bryant, Aidan Spatz, Patrick Spatz, Connor Fitzgerald, Reagan Fitzgerald and Fletcher Fitzgerald; two great grandchildren, Rowen Bryant and Ivy Bryant; a brother, Keith Betts (Jan); a sister, Marisa Pendleton (Bob) and a sister-in-law, Mary Betts, as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Fitzgerald in 2006; a brother, Meredith Dean Betts; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Gloria Jean and Robert Simmons as well as Barbara Elaine and Robert Lofland; and her granddaughter, Lilliana Jeanette Bryant.
A viewing will be held from 11 AM to 2 PM on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Avenue, Milford where services will be held at 2 PM. Entombment will be in Milford Community Cemetery on Route 113, Milford.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a tree be planted in Jeanie’s honor.
