Mrs. Janice Wike Fitzgerald, 72, of Amelia Island passed away at the Warner Center for Caring Tuesday, February 28, 2022.

Mrs. Fitzgerald was born in Coral Gables, FL, the daughter of the late David and Ruth Wike. She was raised in Coral Gables, attended Coral Gables High School and eventually graduated from the University of Miami. While in High School she met a young man, Frank Fitzgerald. They would begin a friendship and courtship which would lead to marriage in a chapel at the University they both attended.

Mrs. Fitzgerald earned her BBA in Accounting from the University and began a career in corporate accounting. Her only time away from her career was to care for her young children. Her passions included tennis, boating, and gardening. She was well known for the staghorn ferns she grew.

She and her family spent time loving life in the Miami area. Among their favorite memories was spending time at the “A House” in Biscayne Bay’s Stiltsville. As the family grew older she was known as the “fun mom” to Sean and Kelly’s friends. There home was the one all the kids wanted to hang out at.

After retirement she and Frank moved to Amelia some 16 years ago. She continued loving and caring for her family and enjoyed spending time with them as well as her volunteer work at Fort Clinch State Park. Her sense of humor, her personality and her spirit always brought joy to those around her. Her favorite quip will be true for all the days to come. In banter with family she would often come back with “You’re are going to miss me when I’m gone.”.

She leaves behind, to miss her, her husband of 50 years, Frank Fitzgerald of Amelia Island; her children, Sean Fitzgerald and his wife, Helen of Isle of Hope, GA and Kelly Fitzgerald and her husband, Brian Vandergenugten of Schererville, IN; her siblings, David Wike, Jr. and his wife, Nancy of Seattle, WA and Pamela Stevens of Tallahassee, FL as well as an extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Fitzgerald’s family will receive friends Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to Friends of Fort Clinch would be welcomed at Friends of Fort Clinch - Home (friendsoffortclinchinc.org) .