Karin R. Fitzgerald

Dec 2, 1930 -

Jul 24, 2024

Karin R. Fitzgerald, matriarch of the lively and unruly James M. Fitzgerald clan of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on July 24, 2024, at her home in Santa Rosa, Calif. She was surrounded by her loving children, in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Born in Salem, Ore., on Dec. 2, 1930, Karin lived a rich and adventurous life, driving to the Territory of Alaska over the "Caribou Highway" - now the Alaska Highway - in 1952 in a Model A Ford with her husband and newborn son, Dennis. The family resided in Ketchikan and Juneau, Alaska, until 1954, when they moved to Anchorage. As husband, "Fitz," launched his legal career as a prosecutor and city attorney; Karin tended to the growing family, which came to include Denise, Debra and Kevin.

Karin loved the arts, and went out of her way to visit museums, admire interesting architecture and attend concerts. For a number of years, Karin served on the board and was president of the Anchorage Concert Association. She was active in the community, including fundraising for her kids' schools - the Inlet View Elementary School ice rink, for example - as well as for the Democratic party.

Karin's parties were legendary, and included mother-daughter teas, play reading parties and weddings. She was known for her delicious food and willingness to experiment gastronomically. For a time, she partnered with JoAnn Kelly in a catering business.

Karin loved the color bright orange, which was emblematic of the exuberant style for which she was well known. Not surprisingly, the hull of the family's skipjack daysailer was bright orange, and was christened "The Wild Orange."

When Karin and Fitz's kids were young, the family would pile into their Econoline van and drive the Alaska Highway – camping along the way – to Oregon, where they owned a beach house in Lincoln City. And, in 1964, the family drove clear across Canada and the U.S. to New York City for a judicial conference and to visit the World's Fair.

When her kids were teens, Karin began a successful career as an innovative interior designer. She worked at the Ante Room with Jip Miller and later, at Design Craft. In later years, she branched out to become a master gardener.

Karin never met a stranger, and she had a diverse and eclectic bunch of friends. She was generous with her love, and became a "second Mom" to many of her children's friends, who fondly remember her today.

Karin was devoted to her friends and family. When she became a grandmother, she taught her grandchildren to love food and the social experience of preparing food for those you love in "Grandma's cooking school." Many times Karin used the cooking school as an excuse to experiment with a never-before-tried recipe, occasionally with hilariously disastrous results.

In 2008, after Fitz's retirement, Karin and Fitz moved to Santa Rosa, where daughter Denise Trefry and her family lived. Karin thrived there, in the heart of Denise's family, and began to forge ties with her new community by joining a writer's club and the Santa Rosa Symphony League, and preparing meals at a local food bank.

Karin's life was defined by her love for her family, her empathy for others, her creative energy, her boundless sense of adventure and her mischievous sense of humor. That these values have reverberated across the generations of her family is her enduring legacy.

Karin is survived by her children, Dennis (Kathy O'Brien), Debra (Tom Amodio) and Kevin (Shanwne Fitzgerald). Her daughter, Denise (George Trefry) predeceased her. She is also survived by her grandchildren, John and Sam Trefry, and Kate Bolea; Blue and Bennett Amodio; and Regan, Nolan, Aidan and Evan Fitzgerald. She has seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held in Anchorage at a later date. Donations may be sent to Hospice of Anchorage.