Alberta A. Fitch

Obituary for Alberta A. Fitch

New Smyrna Beach, FL – Alberta A. Fitch, 92, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 8, 2025 at her home.

Born September 17, 1932, in Pittsfield, Otsego County, New York, she was the daughter of Rolland R. and Merab E. (Harrington) Hickling of Edmeston, NY. Alberta graduated from Edmeston Central School in 1950 and married her high school sweetheart, Gordon Lee Fitch, the same year. Together they shared 61 years of deeply devoted marriage before his passing in 2011.

In 1958, Alberta and Gordon moved from Burlington Flat, NY to Florida, where they owned and operated a dairy and poultry farm in Samsula. Following her calling to nursing, Alberta earned her degree in nursing from Daytona State College and served at Bert Fish Medical Center (now AdventHealth) from 1971 to 1984. She became both Head Nurse and Nursing Supervisor, respected for her skill, compassion, and leadership.

A devoted Christian, Alberta was a longtime member of South Haven Christian Church in Port Orange. She was also a supporter of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Most of all, she was dedicated to her family—never missing a recital, race, or family milestone. Her greatest joy was loving and supporting her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always their most steadfast encourager and cheerleader. She remained deeply proud of her upstate New York roots and avidly researched and recorded her family’s genealogy across continents through multiple generations and branches.

She is survived by four sons: Gerald (Donna), Edward, Stephen (Erin), and Michael (Denise); seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She also leaves behind three sisters and two brothers: Theresa Church, Melvina (Hugh) Friel, Constance Zinger, Lawrence Hickling and Alton (Joan) Hickling. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brothers Rolland Jr. Hickling, Anthony (Marlea) and Vincent Hickling.

She was a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren: Michelle (Michael) Coats, Jeremy (Dana) Fitch, Matthew Fitch, John Fitch, Jennifer (Dennis) Hershey, Amy Fitch, and Justin (Kristin) Fitch; and great-grandmother to nine great-grandchildren: Jenna Coats Kelly and Olivia Coats; Bristol Fitch; Brittany (Zach) Hershey Sorn, Brianna Hershey, and Blake Hershey; Seth Fagan and Adrianna Mason; and Isaiah Fitch; as well as two great-great grandchildren Everest Sorn and Damion Fagan.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 15, 2025, at South Haven Christian Church, Port Orange, with interment at Sea Pines Memorial Gardens, Edgewater.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alberta A. Fitch, please visit our floral store.