Honora Fitzgerald : Short Biography

Nora Fitzgerald was born in Listowel, North Kerry, on 24 August 1874. Her parents were Michael Fitzgerald, a horse trainer, and Mary Prenderville. According to RC records, Nora also had an older brother Michael, and a younger sister Margret. 

Oral history from Nora to her grand-daughter, Adelaide Howe, tells that Nora's mother died when she was young. Her father placed her in a convent to be schooled. Upon her father's death, reportedly in a steeplechase race, Nora ran away from the convent and immigrated to the US. No mention of her siblings was ever related. Her parents' names only became known when Nora's wedding certificate was located.

Nora arrived in New York City 06 April 1892.  She went to work as a seamstress for Mrs. Snow in NYC (NFI).  She would marry George Howe, himself a Scottish immigrant, in 1897.  He was a builder/architect.  They would have 3 children:  George Jr., Eva and Gladys Marie.  Her husband would lose everything when his building partner stole everything, leaving him in debt.  They would leave NYC and head to Greenport NY, outside of Hudson.  George built 2 homes on Howe Rd, one of which he Nora raised their children, and subsequently their granddaughter, Adelaide Schroeder. 

George would die in 1935, and be buried the same day as the Rip Van Winkle Bridge would open. Nora died the same month her youngest daughter, Gladys Marie died.  Nora, George and her 3 children are buried in Greenport at Mount Pleasant Reformed Church Cemetery.