Special Notice: 0316

Dear Golden Eagles, 

It is my sad duty to inform you that Mrs. Margaret Marie Fitch, widow of LtGen William H. Fitch, USMC (Ret) who made his Last Take-Off on January 19, 2016, passed away at Fairfax INOVA Hospital, Fairfax, Virginia, on February 12, 2016. Tentative plans: There will be a visitation at Money and King Funeral Home (171 Maple Avenue W Vienna, VA 22180) Sunday 28 February from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.  

Margaret Marie Williams was born in Bartow, FL, on July 16, 1936. Her mother died when Margaret was young and her dad raised her, but he was very strict. She attended Fort Meade High School and in her senior year, her favorite teacher was the mother of Bill Fitch. The teacher so admired Margaret that she asked Margaret if she would date a US Marine Corps officer who was 7 years older than Margaret was.  Bill had just come back from an 8 month around the world cruise on the USS Saipan.  His mother introduced Margaret to her son, after the teacher got permission from Margaret’s Dad.  On the first date, Margaret got in trouble with her Dad for staying out after her curfew.  Bill apologized to her father and he had several more dates.  He married Margaret a year later on August 7, 1955 at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Bartow, FL, after Margaret finished her first year of college at Wesleyan College in Macon, GA.  They immediately packed up Bill’s 1953 Olds convertible and headed for California and their first duty station. Margaret finished her college, got her teaching degree and taught school where ever Bill was stationed. General Fitch and Margaret Marie celebrated their 60th anniversary last August. Margaret said, “It was such a privilege to have shared those years and experiences with him. I always was so proud to be his wife and I cannot think of a life I would have enjoyed as much.”  Margaret joined Bill at 6:04 AM on Friday, February 12 and they are together again.

Golden Eagle, Dave Seder, recently saw a quote by Joan Powers who is the author of Pooh’s Little Instruction Book: “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.” Dave believes that quote can summarize the relationship of the Fitch’s for not only their last few weeks, but also their entire life together.

In Sadness, Don Boecker-Pilot

Good afternoon,

There will be two events to commemorate Margaret Marie’s life and to say goodbye.  The first will be a visitation at Money and King Funeral Home (171 Maple Avenue W Vienna, VA 22180) Sunday 28 February from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.  The Interment is planned for 11:00 AM on Monday the 29th at the National Cemetery, Quantico, VA.  I will follow-up with additional information, or changes if they develop.  Please forward this information as appropriate. 

Thank-you all and Semper Fi, Frosty Seder