Vicki R. Fitzsimmons left this life on August 8, 2018. Born in 1945 to James and Kathryne Cecil in Marion, Indiana, she received her B.S. and M.S. degrees at the University of Arizona and her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. She taught at the University of Kentucky, Michigan State University, and the University of Illinois. Vicki was predeceased by her husband, James (Jim) Fitzsimmons October 9, 2017; she is survived by her daughter, Tammy Elliott, and grandsons, Tyler (Maile) and Cameron Elliott, and great granddaughter Persephone; step-children Steve (Angela) Fitzsimmons and Jackie (Karl) Kern, 3 step-grandchildren and 2 step-great grandchildren.

Dr. Fitzsimmons played a significant role in developing the Consumer Economics and Finance option and the Financial Planning and Counseling course at the University of Illinois. As an Extension Specialist, she coordinated the High School Financial Planning Program in Illinois. With a team of Consumer and Family Economics educators, she developed the award-winning curriculum, All My Money , adopted throughout the country and still in use today. She wrote numerous articles published in lay and professional, refereed journals.

After retirement and a move to Green Valley, Vicki volunteered as publicity coordinator for St. Andrew's Children's Clinic from 2001-2017. She expanded the newsletter, reformatted the web site and developed many exhibit materials and publications, designed to inform the public about the life-changing work of St. Andrew's Children's Clinic. The Clinic's mission is to provide specialized medical care to children living in Mexico who cannot get the care or afford the care they need in their home country. Volunteering for The Clinic became Vicki's passion and ministry.

A lyric soprano, Vicki used her talent to raise money for the Augmentative/Alternative Communication Department of St. Andrew's Children's Clinic. Funds raised in her annual voice recital were used to buy iPads, communication software, and other materials needed for children who cannot speak or who speak very little. Vicki explained her dedication to these children, "I could not talk until I was 4 years old because I was tongue-tied." Her last wish was that memorials be directed to the iPad project (put on memo line of check) at St. Andrew's Children's Clinic, PO Box 67, Green Valley, AZ 85622. Committal service will be at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Nogales, AZ at 11:30 Sunday, September 2, 2018. Jim and Vicki's ashes will be interred at that time in the Columbarium at St. Andrew's, followed by a bagpipe rendition of "Scotland, the Brave" played by Neal Flint, and a reception in St. Mary's Hall.