Anne (Carey) Fitzgerald

FITZGERALD, CAREY

Posted By: James Archer (email)
Date: 8/21/2005 at 01:28:59

Mrs. James E. Fitzgerald of Varina Passes Away...

The entire community were shocked on Thursday forenoon of last week, when it was learned that Mrs. James E. Fitzgerald had quietly passed away at her home in Varina, Iowa. Her husband and three of the children were with her when the end came.

About seven years ago, Mrs. Fitzgerald developed chronic asthma. Although everything possible was done, the disease baffled human science, and the heart, having gradually become weaker, at last gave way, resulting in her death.

Anne Carey, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Carey, was born near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on April 29, 1881. In 1887 her parents moved to this vicinity and purchased a farm three miles northeast of where Varina is now located. Here she grew to womanhood.

On May 31, 1905, she was married to James E. Fitzgerald, son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Fitzgerald, who were among the pioneers of Dover Township. Since that time the family has resided in or near Varina, except for a few months spent in Boulder, Colorado, where they moved with the hope of improving Mrs. Fitzgerald's health.

The funeral was held last Saturday forenoon from St. Columbkille's Catholic Church, Varina, where the Solemn Requiem High Mass was sung by a nephew, Rev. Edward C. Lilly, assistant pastor of Corpus Christi Church, Fort Dodge, Iowa. A cousin of Mr. Fitzgerald's, the Rev. Louis J. Lynch of St. Patrick's Church, Sheldon, Iowa, was deacon of the Mass, and the Rev. Gabriel Barry, pastor of St. Columbkille's Church, Varina, sub-deacon. Father Barry pronounced the final blessing. Rev. L. J. Lynch of Sheldon preached a most impressive sermon. Taking for his test those words of St. Paul: "I chatise my body and bring it under the subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself might become a castaway." Father Lynch pointed out the necessity of vigilance in the spiritual life and touched on the faithfulness of the deceased in the practice of her religion in her fidelity and devotion to her home and family.

"She knelt at this railing every Sunday to receive Our Lord into her heart," said the reverend speaker, "and took Him home with her to draw down His blessing on herself and her family.

Father Lynch closed with the consoling thought that this devoted wife and mother, being now near the throne of God would be able to obtain greater and richer blessing for her loved than she could while on earth.

The St. Columbkille's choir, under the direction of Mrs. Hazel Kelly, sang the Gregorian Mass.

Mrs. Fitzgerald is survived by her husband, James E. Fitzgerald, owner of the Fitzgerald Hardware Co., Varina; two sons; Claire, who is principal of the Varina Public School, and Marlin, a sophomore at St. Columbkille's; three daughters, Mrs. G. Kapsch; Mrs. Edward Ryan; and Leathal.

(Printed in the Fonda Times)