Mary Catherine Shipley

Mary Catherine (Fitzgerald) Shipley, age 95, of Oakland, passed away at home surrounded by family on Monday morning, February 9, 2026. Born November 19, 1930, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Richard Dominic Fitzgerald and Catherine Barbara (Lehmann) Fitzgerald.

Mary graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame high school. She worked as a secretary and church organist, and married the late Paul St. Clair Shipley on May 9, 1953. She continued working as an organist, playing for masses, weddings, and funerals for more than 75 years. While serving as organist at St. Camillus Church, Mary received the Francis Medal, the highest award a civilian in the church can receive, in grateful appreciation of her many years as a church organist. She accompanied local theater groups on the piano as they performed musicals. For many years, Mary was also the secretary for the Women's Commission at the University of Maryland, College Park. She also enjoyed gardening, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and traveling. Her favorite trip was visiting several countries in Europe.

Mary was a devoted mother to her five children: M. Patrice Waits (Jim), Paul R. Shipley, Maureen K. Troublefield (Marty), Susan M. Farrell (Tom), and Bill R. Shipley (Teresa (deceased)). Her ten grandchildren are Marla, Katherine, Keenan (deceased), Sergio, Evan, Ryan, Julia, Elena, Karen, and Patrick. Her seven great grandchildren are River, Salvatore, Jebediah, Eleanor, James, Esther, and Lucas.  Mary will also be missed by many other family and friends who loved her.

In addition to her husband, Paul, who died on January 28, 1998, after 44 years of marriage, Mary was preceded in death by her brother, Richard B. Fitzgerald and his wife, Nancy. She was also preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Teresa, and her grandson, Keenan.

Mary's wishes to be cremated were honored, and a funeral mass will be held on their wedding anniversary, May 9, 2026, at St. Camillus Church, 1600 St. Camillus Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20903 at 12 PM. Interment will follow at Fort Lincoln Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, MD 20722.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, Hospice of Garrett County, or St. Camillus Food Pantry.

The Fredlock & Fenner Funeral Homes, P.A.- Oakland Chapel, is honored to be serving the Shipley family.