ANDOVER — Greater Lawrence Technical School’s pool was about to close in the 1980s.
There was discussion about creating a wrestling training room, replacing what was seen as a poorly maintained, underutilized area. Marilyn Fitzgerald, an aquatics volunteer at the Merrimack Valley YWCA, reached out to the then-Superintendent.
“I knew that once you get rid of a pool, it never comes back,” she says.
Fitzgerald convinced the school to keep the pool, and later became GLTS’s aquatics director. She retired from GLTS in 2008, then joined School Committee, serving as an Andover representative until earlier this month. Fitzgerald also coached Andover High’s swim teams to 18 state championships.
On Tuesday, April 23, the school formally dedicated the Marilyn Fitzgerald Natatorium to honor her commitment to the school and to swimming.
Though it was not part of her job, Fitzgerald mentored many GLTS students who were struggling or were facing challenges.
“She never gave up on one kid,” Superintendent John Lavoie said.
At a post-dedication ceremony, Fitzgerald thanked her family and former co-workers, and recognized other swim coaches in attendance.
“These people impacted lives just like I did, all because we maintained that pool,” Fitzgerald said. “It is a gem.”