The Vandalia Area Historical Society has received a $10,000 donation from the estate of Mary Beth Fowler Fitzgerald.
Mary Beth grew up in Vandalia and graduated from Van-Far High School in 1969. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. She was adopted as an infant by Roy and Bonnie Fowler. Bonnie died when Mary Beth was 6-years old, and Roy remarried a few years later.
Her grandparents, Albert and Mary Agnes Fowler, moved to Vandalia in 1927 where Albert worked for Pierce Oil Co. before it was sold to Sinclair Oil. Her uncle, W.G. Fowler, and father, Roy, later ran the Sinclair Service Station on W. Hwy. 54 along with a bulk oil plant. The business was in the family for 54 years.
Mary Beth was married to Pat Fitzgerald but they divorced and remained friends.
Mary Beth’s aunts were Alma and Irene Fowler. Alma worked as a bookkeeper and buyer for Pearson’s Clothing Store for many years. Other Vandalia relatives were a cousin, Rhonda Fowler Travis, and husband George, and Justin Travis and wife Lori, who live in Elizabethtown, Ky.
Her career was in the fashion industry. She was dept. manager for Joske’s, Lord & Taylor, and Bloomingdale’s in Dallas, Texas. Later she was senior account executive for Bride & Groom magazine.
Mary Beth remained in contact with friends in Vandalia and was always interested in the changes and progress of her hometown.
The Society is gracious and appreciative of such a contribution. Especially from a person who has carried Vandalia in her heart as her hometown throughout her life.