Gail Fitzpatrick

Gail Fitzpatrick, 72, a longtime resident of East Andover NH, died peacefully in her home on September 19 after a 6-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Gail was born March 9, 1951, in Fitchburg MA, daughter of James and Doris (Fredette) Fitzpatrick. She lived in Westminster and Fitchburg, where she attended Oakmont Regional High School and graduated from Fitchburg High in 1969. She became a young mother, with her first husband, to Jennifer and Jeremy Hill, whom she adored every day of her life.

The family purchased property at the top of Chase Hill Road in East Andover in 1980, and moved from their Connecticut home into a tent, where they stayed while they cleared their land, built their own home, as well as lots of character, and moved in within a couple of months.

In the ensuing years, she earned a Master’s Degree from Plymouth State College and continued her career in Elementary Education and as a Reading and Writing Specialist. She taught at Andover Elementary School, where she worked for many years, moved to Hillsborough Elementary briefly, then returned to Andover, from where she retired. She was a beloved teacher who inspired many young minds to express themselves through writing. She was very active in the community, a volunteer with the fire and rescue team, and later worked as the librarian at the East Andover library until her bout with cancer began.

Gail married her soul mate, Gary Cassidy of East Andover, in 1997. Together they built a timber-frame home, also on Chase Hill Rd, where they raised Patrick and Ben Cassidy, and lived for the rest of her life.  She was always so happy to hear Gary play his guitar and sing.

Gail was a prolific reader and expressive writer. She loved gardening and enjoyed spending many hours tending her flowers and vegetables. She was a homesteader, and there was nothing she couldn’t make, build, or grow. She was also a brilliant quilter and over the years crafted beautiful quilts for her family  and friends, all of whom treasure those gifts.

Gail is survived by her husband, Gary Cassidy; her daughter Jennifer Hill, of Brooklyn NY;  son Jeremy Hill and his wife Amy of Waterbury Vt; her 4 grandchildren, Jade and Charlie Spear of Brooklyn, NY, Elizah Hill of New York, Sophia Hill of Waterbury VT; her stepsons Patrick Cassidy and his wife Becky of Bristol NH, and Ben Cassidy of Claremont NH.  She is also survived by her sisters, Donna Fitzpatrick of Reading MA, Kathy Fitzpatrick of Waterbury CT, Robyn Haynes and her husband Leslie of Old Westbury NY; her brother Jay Fitzpatrick and his wife Lorraine of East Andover; nephews Adam Fitzpatrick of Portsmouth NH, Jesse Fitzpatrick of Waterbury CT; nieces Laurel Fitzpatrick-Howell of Nottingham NH and Maya Haynes Viau of Manchester NH; as well as her beloved canine companion, Juno.