In Memoriam – March 2021

Each month, Tri Delta publishes In Memoriam, highlighting the lives of some of our Distinguished Deltas and longtime volunteers and sharing a full list of sisters who have recently passed away. Below is the In Memoriam for March 2021.

Anita Roberson Fitzgerald, Texas/Arlington 

Tri Delta was saddened to learn of the passing of dedicated alumna Anita Myril Roberson Fitzgerald, Texas/Arlington, on Sunday, March 14, 2021. Anita is survived by her daughter and former Tri Delta Executive Director Cari Fitzgerald Cook, Texas/Arlington, and granddaughter Ashley Fitzgerald Watson, Texas/Arlington.  

Anita (“Maw Maw”) touched the hearts of every person she met with her wisdom and kindness. At times described as “intimidating,” with her sharp business mind and life experiences, she always softened. She and her late husband, Harold Thomas Fitzgerald, started several commercial real estate companies including Fitzgerald Homes, Inc., Fitzgerald Properties, Inc, and A. Fitzgerald Properties, LTD, developing, investing, building and managing multiple commercial and residential real estate properties in the heart of Arlington, Texas. Described by her peers as, “the best businesswoman” in town, Anita continued to manage the commercial properties for 16 years after Harold’s death until it was time to retire.  

In her retirement, Anita volunteered for multiple organizations, including attending and volunteering at many Tri Delta Biennial Conventions. She served as President of Zonta International – Metroplex Club, Co-Founder of Metroplex Chapter of the Red Hats Society (an organization for fun and friendship after 50) and President of the Arlington Southwest Kiwanis Club, where she was honored in 2008 with the Kiwanian of the Year Award. She will be greatly missed by her Tri Delta sisters and family.  

Jean Moeller Davis, Louisiana State 

Past Tri Delta volunteer Jean Marie Moeller Davis, a long-time resident of Baton Rouge, passed away at the age of 91 on Mardi Gras morning, Feb. 16, 2021, in Dallas, Texas.  

Jean graduated from high school at 16, then attended McNeese State University for one year. She transferred to Louisiana State University in 1947, where she earned bachelor degrees in both Music and Education. Jean was the ultimate LSU fan, who had the coveted honor of being an LSU cheerleader for three years. She was also a lifelong Tri Delta member and volunteer. Jean served as a chapter advisor for LSU and as an alumnae district officer from 1978 to 1989, in addition to serving our sisterhood in other valuable appointments.   

Jean’s joy for life was contagious and unsurpassed, leading her to a career working with and inspiring children. She served as the Director of the Children’s Learning Center at Broadmoor United Methodist Church for 38 years, where at any moment she could be found wearing a silly costume while opening doors in the carpool line, tying (and retying) roller skates for hundreds of children, or leading preschoolers—running, running as fast as they can, trying to catch the Gingerbread Man. Her true joy in life, however, was spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

Joan Faessel Gardner, Southern California 

Loyal Tri Delta alumna and alumnae chapter volunteer Joan Marie Faessel Gardner passed away on March 22, 2021, in Marietta, Georgia. Joan attended the University of Southern California where she joined Tri Delta. She lived for many years in Anaheim and Villa Park, California, raising her daughter, Katherine Krawczuk, and son, Timothy Krawczuk.  

After her family was relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, she became an active member of the community. She always enjoyed being a member of the USC Trojan alumni group and the local Tri Delta alumnae chapter wherever she was living. She served for many years as a Panhellenic delegate and volunteered at the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter’s annual Care Affair gala, benefitting CURE Childhood Cancer and Tri Delta’s Foundation.  

Joan was an active supporter of the Atlanta’s High Museum of Art. She also founded the Knitting Angels group Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, which donated 2,500 handmade items a year to persons in need of warmth and comfort. 

One of her proudest activities was mentoring young women on their journey to college. Whether it was through personal scholarships, advice or sorority references, she was most gratified to aid in making dreams come true for these young women. 

This In Memoriam list includes sisters who were reported as deceased to Executive Office Mar. 1–31, 2021. If you know of a sister who has passed away, please report her information to Executive Office by emailing memberrecords@trideltaeo.org.