Exley Fitzpatrick

Exley Iris (Gensler) Fitzpatrick, age 96, formerly of Carlisle, passed into the arms of her Savior on September 26, 2017 at her home in Green Park. She was born in Wertzville, PA on November 22, 1920 to the late R. Fraser  and Cora M. Gensler.

Exley attended country schools as a child and was a proud alumna of Mechanicsburg High School, where she graduated in 1939 and faithfully attended class reunions.  Exley was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Carlisle, Pa, where she taught Children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for over 30 years.  She later attended Reibers Church, Shermans Dale, PA, after moving to live with her son and daughter-in-law.

Exley enjoyed homemaking, was an avid reader, and an enthusiastic artist.  She enjoyed riding her bicycle both for errands and exploring the countryside.  For many years she was a faithful volunteer at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop and enjoyed visiting with friends at the Carlisle Senior Center.  She loved word search books and adult coloring pages, which she delighted in coloring and give away. She was coloring until a week before her passing.

One of a family of eleven siblings, she deeply loved family, gathering often with them and looked forward to family reunions each year. Exley was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Charles A. Fitzpatrick Jr., who passed away in 2005; six brothers, Ray, Roy, Leonard, Arthur, Clair, and Rodman Gensler;  and three sisters, Elizabeth Bishard, Florence Stone and Nancy Edmanson. Surviving are two sons, Charles A. Fitzpatrick III and wife, Joie of Green Park and Michael S. Fitzpatrick and wife, Janelle of Carlisle; 10 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. Exley is also survived by a sister, Leslie (Letty) Hays of Carlisle; two sisters-in-law, Grace Gensler and Francis Fitzpatrick both of Carlisle; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 30 at 11:00 AM in the Perry Mennonite Reception Center, 350 Green Park Rd., Elliottsburg, Pa. A viewing will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carlisle Salvation Army Senior Center, 20 E. Pomfret Street, Carlisle, PA 17013.