Honorable Nancy Fitch

A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE
NANCY ELIZABETH MARIAH HARVEY FITCH
NOVEMBER 7, 1919 TO JULY 4, 2023

Nancy Elizabeth Mariah Harvey Fitch was born in Spartanburg, SC on November 7, 1919. Her parents were Deacon David and Deaconess Alsia Penola Zeigler who predeceased her. She moved to Scarsdale, NY and attended public school there, graduating from Scarsdale High School when she was 16 years old. While attending The City College of New York she studied Business Administration and met her future husband, Robert Franklin Fitch II who predeceased her. They were married at Union Baptist Church in Greenburgh in 1946. They are the parents of Nancy Elizabeth, Robert Franklin III (Roslyn), Kevin David (Jennifer) Fitch and grandson Saliym Surya (Geneva) Fitch, the son of Kevin, and Maliaka (Carol Word) Robinson.

The former Elizabeth Harvey was known as “Betty,” “Libby,” and by her family of cousins she was “Cousin Elizabeth,” and “godmother” by her godchild. Her favorite title, however, in addition to “Mom” was “Ouma.” The name, meaning ”Grandmother” in Affrikans, was selected by Saliym’s mother when he was born. Sister Fitch leaves to celebrate her memory, in addition to her immediate family, legends of cousins, goddaughter Shelby Lorraine Austin and members of the Austin Family, her childhood friend Mrs. Cornelia Evans, Ayana Adams and Arianna M’selle, and friends and the leadership of Bethel Baptist Church.

Sister Fitch was Deputy City Clerk and then City Clerk of Mount Vernon – the first woman and African American in those positions She was active in Municipal government leadership and in the political life of the State of New York, and in the national leadership of Black Republican organizations. She was also an active volunteer: a devoted member of National and Westchester County Urban Leagues and the Westchester Urban League Guild, from which she received her 50-year membership pin. She was Board Member-At-Large of The United Way of Westchester County, Inc. and a proud scout leader of her children’s Cub and Girl Scout troops. Sister Fitch was the recipient of The Magdelene Carney Humanitarian Award from the Spiritual Assembly of The Baha’i International Community of Mount Vernon, The Leadership Award from the Westchester Public/Private Membership Fund for Aging Services, the National Sojourner Truth Award for Meritorious Service from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc., among other awards including being the first recipient of the Grace Baptist Church Award For Community Service. Some of her interests included Membership in the Mount Vernon-Vernon Heights Garden Club earning several awards for her creations and as a young woman, before working in the federal government in Washington, D.C., as a stringer for the New York Amsterdam News, reporting on Westchester County social life. She also studied with the American Negro Theatre. After her marriage she became a proud member of the Wive’s Committee of the [storied] 369thVeteran’s Association.

Over four decades ago, Sister Fitch, while a member of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon, organized the first Annual Women’s Day Program, a fundraising skill she learned in the Baptist church during her youth. Several years later, the now combined Episcopal churches in Mount Vernon, recognized her for her fundraising efforts, skills she learned as a young person at this church – Bethel Baptist Church. She rejoined the Baptist denomination while her mother was still alive, returning to Bethel and was a faithful member of the church until her recent passing. This is where she was baptized as a child, sang in the youth choir, taught Sunday school, and was a junior usher. She was back home where the Rev. Dr. Edward O. Williamson has been her pastor-teacher, where her parents served as Deacon and member of the Eastern Stars respectively. She was blessed to be a Member of the Missionary Society and serve as Vice President, and where she might have been heard to say, “God is my constant companion and He knows my every need.” He knew on July the Fourth. We miss her surely, but may she be at peace – her work here is done, but her legacy is always with us. AMEN
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Blessings to the wonderful and caring EMS members and the police officer for their care and gentleness to our mother/grandmother and brother on Sister Fitch’s Day of Independence: the day of her greatest need. And to Ms.Lisa Brown, her Home Aide who also became her friend, who kept her on top of her game with their discussions of the news and world affairs, and then their critiques of favorite television programs; to the love and affection of not only the immediate family but to her extended family – her cousins who were the sisters and brothers that as an only child she did not have and who honored her last year as Queen of the Johnson Family Reunion. We want to laud our brother, uncle, and cousin Robert (Bob) who shared so many hours with her watching Matlock and Columbo, and when he could help Lisa with Mom’s lunch and doctor visits. Bob was there at the time of her greatest need, along with her Lord. Finally, but certainly not less to the Rev. Dr. and Rev. Williamsons for sharing private moments of Christian fellowship with her on their visits, and to Her Church.. God bless everyone. The Fitch Family

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ATTENTION: During the continuing COVID & various health concerns, as we phase back into smaller capacity public visitations/services, we need your help in limiting/controlling the number of people, so please govern yourself accordingly for the health & safety of all. Thank you so kindly!

A Walk-thru Wake/Visitation will be held on Friday July 14th, 2023 from 11:00-11:55AM, but Viewing will ONLY be from 11:00-11:30AM, all at Bethel Baptist Church with limited capacity, followed by Funeral Service at 12:00 NOON. So you may come to the Church to try to attend, & feel free to wear masks. At the very least you can get hand sanitizer & sign the register book (NOTE: please feel free to bring your own pen). If not at capacity, you will be allowed in to have a seat; but if at capacity by the time you get there, you may be required to leave the premises after signing register book, so as not to be in violation nor cause a health hazard, so please govern yourself accordingly. Regardless of if you're able to enter/be seated, or not, please refrain from too much touching/hugging/handshaking, preferably elbow bumping briefly if at all. If instructed, PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY leave the building & premises if the church is at their capacity. PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY follow & abide by the directions of the funeral home staff and/or church or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & policies, so as to make all go smoothly the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the funeral home and/or church, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that Nancy E. Fitch & family entrusted her care & the care of their loved one to us, and that she & they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the Family & Friends of Nancy E. Fitch during their time of bereavement.

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Please leave written condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in her honor, whether you're able to attend or not. Definitely Please SIGN IN on the Memory Wall as a virtual way of signing the register book, especially if choosing to stay safe/not able to sign in person.

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Feel free to come to the church & cemetery wearing a mask, & wear a mask inside the church, and social distance as much as possible. If you know you have a coronovirus/COVID-19; are sick/experiencing symptoms of coronovirus/COVID-19; are immuno-compromised and/or have health/other conditions that make your body more susceptible to illness, please do NOT attend any services nor come to either facility. Please feel free to bring & use your own pen for signing the family's register book - you are encouraged to please BRING & use your own PEN for signing. Please follow & abide by the rules of the church & cemetery, and directions of the funeral home staff, church and/or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & any policies, so as to make all go smoothly the days of the services & burial, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the church and/or funeral home, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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In LIEU of flowers, as a lasting tribute, Nancy E. Fitch & her family kindly prefer that a contribution may be made in her name/memory/honor to the Urban League of Westchester (may be done on your own or through the donation tab/link here in website at the bottom of this page), and/or to Literacy Volunteers and/or Mt. Vernon Public Library (may be done on your own), and/or you may choose to plant a tree in tribute. If sending flowers despite the family's contribution request, flowers may be delivered either on Thurs. July 13th by/before 6:00PM to Lee's Funeral Home, or on Fri. July 14th by/before 10:30AM to Bethel Baptist Church. The Family Thanks You!