Denise C. McNamara Fitzgerald, 63, a resident of Franklin and formerly Framingham, died Wednesday, May 21, 2025 after a period of declining health. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Paul J. McNamara and Dorothy E. (Diggins) DeAngelis.
Raised and educated in Framingham, Denise’s careers mirrored who she was as a person. Denise was a SMOC home daycare provider for several years, she also was an emergency dispatcher at lifeline, and became a home health aid. She chose her careers based on her interests and hobbies and what she enjoyed the most; helping and taking care of others. Denise welcomed anyone who was in need of help, and made them feel like family. She enjoyed cooking, summer vacations at the beach, shopping, listening to music, caring for others, spending time with her family, but most importantly she enjoyed being “Nanny” and watching her grandchildren grow up.
Denise is survived by her children, John Hayes & his wife Alisha of Holliston, Shana Hayes of Westborough, Amanda Fitzgerald of Westborough, and Corey Fitzgerald of Framingham, her grandchildren, Layla Conrad, Jayden and Kaylin Hayes, and Juliet Fitzgerald, her siblings, Mary Salvi (Kevin), Daniel McNamara (Regina), Kevin McNamara (Karen), Joseph McNamara (Doris), Kathleen McNamara, Lori Cattani (Frank), and Christine Faini (Eugene), her longtime companion Timothy Collins, and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor and remember Denise’s life by gathering for a time of visitation in the Norton, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 53 Beech Street, Framingham on Saturday, May 31st from 9-11AM. Graveside prayers will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be in Denise’s name to: The Boston Globe Foundation, c/o Globe Santa, PO BOX 491, Medford, MA 02155 or at globesanta.org
To share a memory with Denise’s family, kindly visit www.nortonfuneralhome.com
McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home