Alice Dorothy “Dot” Burkhalter Fitzpatrick
November 21, 1925 – April 3, 2025
On November 21, 1925, Alice Dorothy Burkhalter was born in Jacksonville, Florida at St. Luke’s Hospital to her proud parents, Beatrice and Robert J. Burkhalter. Both Beatrice and Robert came from large, close knit families who were happy to welcome Dorothy as their newest member. Beatrice was raised in Georgia with her three sisters and her brother, while Robert grew up in Jacksonville, with his three brothers and sister. Three years later Beatrice and Robert made Dorothy a big sister when her younger brother, Bobby, or, as she called him, “the little prince” joined the family. Growing up Dorothy became known as “Dot” when she attended Brentwood Elementary School, Kirby Smith Middle School, and Andrew Jackson High School. Having been part of such a large family, it is no surprise that Dot wanted a large family when she grew up.
In 1943, Dot’s Aunt Minnie recruited her, along with other girls to be a part of the USO, where they were bussed over to the local Catholic Church on Sundays to dance with the service men who were on leave. They danced to some of the famous live bands of the day, including Desi Arnaz and The Glenn Miller Band. This is where Dot met a young handsome sailor by the name of Charles B. Fitzpatrick, Jr. She was smitten with his good looks, dancing skills, polite attitude, quick wit and charm. Charles was also quite taken with Dot after meeting her at the dance and set out to find her. However, Dot figured she would never see this sailor again, and told him her name was Patricia O’Connor. Charles was determined and tracked her down at work, waiting at the reception desk until she left for lunch. He finally won her over and found out her real name was Dorothy Burkhalter. It wasn’t long before wedding bells were ringing and Dorothy Burkhalter became Mrs. Charles B. Fitzpatrick, Jr. on June 21, 1945 while Charles was on a 72 hour leave.
Their honeymoon on Jacksonville Beach was less than ideal with rain, multiple flat tires, and tons of mosquitos, but they didn’t care. Once they returned from their honeymoon, Charles went back base and visited Dot on weekends while she stayed with her mother and brother.
It wasn’t long before Dorothy was “with child” and their lives were changed forever when Thomas Michael “Mike” Fitzpatrick was born on July 18, 1946. Meanwhile, Charles, or “Fitz” as everyone called him, was discharged from the Navy, returned to college on his G.I. bill and the next chapter of their lives began. They lived in Flavet Village at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where Fitz attended law school and was elected to be the mayor. During this time, Mike became a big brother to Richard Stephen “Spike” Fitzpatrick.
While Fitz was finishing law school, Dot kept busy as a housewife raising their two boys. After graduating, Fitz heard that the Scofield Law Firm in Citrus County, Florida was looking for a young, up and coming attorney. He fit the position perfectly and the Fitzpatrick family moved to Inverness, Florida. Charles started his own law firm, Fitzpatrick & Fitzpatrick, P.A. in 1950 which has remained operational and has been a staple in the community for the past 75 years. What Dot loved the most about Inverness was the water and the fact that it was such a clean, quaint, small town. Fitz and Dot became very involved in the community, joining every club, sport and church activity possible. Their family continued to grow by adding three more sons to the clan for a total of five boys: Mike, Spike, Timmy, Kevin and Pat.
Dorothy was not only an amazing housewife and mother, but she became renowned in the community for her extensive volunteer work, including: founder of the first Cub Scout troop in Inverness, troop leader of Inverness Girl Scouts, organizer of the Candy Stripers at Citrus Memorial Hospital, officer of the Junior Woman’s Club, co-founder of Inverness Golf and Country Club, founder of the Booster Club for Citrus High School, deliveries for Meals on Wheels, and many years as the Grand Marshall of the Inverness St. Patrick’s Day Parade. As their sons grew up Dot was very proud of the family they raised and the success of the Fitzpatrick Law Office and how their hard work over the years had paid off. As years went by, the Fitzpatrick boys stayed in Citrus County and raised their families. Dot and Fitz welcomed nine grandchildren before Fitz passed away on January 1, 1986. The Fitzpatrick family continued to grow by adding four more grandchildren for a total of thirteen.
Along with the joy their growing family brought, there was also much heart break through the years. After losing the love of her life, Dot suffered the loss of her sons Timmy, Spike, Kevin and Pat along with her oldest grandson, Shawn. Dot’s strength, fortitude and faith has been an inspiration to her family and the community. She took great pride in watching her thirteen grandchildren grow up and bless her with 26 great-grandchildren.
Dorothy lived to be 99 ½ years old, passing away on April 3, 2025 at 7:49 a.m. in her home of 54 years that she built and shared with her beloved husband and sons. Dot’s success in her prominent role as the matriarch of the Fitzpatrick family is evident in the close relationships between grandchildren and great- grandchildren which will continue under the leadership of her oldest son, Mike. Dorothy is preceded in death by husband, Charles B. Fitzpatrick, Jr.; her sons, Richard “Spike”, Kevin Terrence, Timothy Robert and Patrick Shane; her grandson Richard Shawn; her brother Robert and her parents Robert Burkhalter and Beatrice Engel.
Dorothy is survived by a large and tight knit family including: Her son, Thomas Michael Fitzpatrick and his wife Brenda; granddaughter Elizabeth (Clayton Harrington); grandson Michael (Paige) and great-grandchildren Connor and Reagan Fitzpatrick.
Her daughter-in-law Nancy Fitzpatrick (Spike); granddaughter Katherine (Trent), great-grandson Carter Stephenson; granddaughter Megan (Mack), great-grandchildren Hattie, Delaney, Teddy and Maggie DeBruyn; grandson Brian (Sadie), great-grandchildren Charles, Annie and Lucy Fitzpatrick; and granddaughter Molly Fitzpatrick.
Her daughter-in-law Adele Fitzpatrick (Kevin); granddaughter Kaela (Adham), great-grandchildren Zakariah, Kaia, and Zoe Rashwan; granddaughter Lauren (Blake), and great-grandchildren Ella and Emery DeCarlo. Her daughter-in-law Laura Lou (Patrick); grandson Shane (Alyse), great-grandchildren Trace and Brantley Fitzpatrick; granddaughter Erin (Matt), great-grandchildren Payton, Matthew and Eli Marrero; granddaughter Elaina (Matthew), great-grandchildren Dean, Dylan and Sadie Ryals; granddaughter Elisha (Tyler), and great-grandchildren Lilly, Vaden and Jaxson LeMieux.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church with Fr. Mike Suszynski and Fr. James Johnson con-celebrants. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family at the Chas. E Davis Funeral Home on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the procession departs for the church at 12:30. The Mass will begin promptly at 1:00 PM.
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