Chapy's Corner
The Matriarch: Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy
Issue date: 9/30/09 Section: Opinion
I dedicate my 246th edition of Chapy's Corner to the devoted Irish-Catholic matriarch of the Kennedy family, countess Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald, who was married to ambassador Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Sr. (b.1888-d.1969). They were married 95-years ago today on Oct. 7, 1914. Here is my fifth short Kennedy moment.
Who was Rose Kennedy? I am reminded of an unfortunate event that occurred in her life during the roaring 1920s, her millionaire husband Joseph, flaunted an adulterous affair with silent screen award winning actress and fashion icon Ms. Gloria Swanson (b.1899-d.1984), who once said about her lover's wife, Rose, "She must be a saint, a fool, or just a better actress than me."
In their first 18 years of marriage, Rose and Joseph had nine children. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was born in 1915, John in 1917, Rosemary in 1918, Kathleen in 1920, Eunice in 1921, Patricia in 1924, Robert in 1925, Jean in 1928 and Edward in 1932.
The matriarch, Rose was born in the hood of Boston's North End on July 22, 1890, the eldest of five children born to the Hon. John Francis (Honey Fitz) and Mary Josephine Hannon Fitzgerald.
She was first introduced to politics as a very young child. When she was 5, her father was a member of the United States Congress representing the commonwealth of Massachusetts' ninth district. By the time she turned 15, Honey Fitz was one of the most popular and colorful mayors the city of Boston had ever known. Her father once took Rose and her sister Agnes to visit the 25th President William McKinley (b.1843-d.1901) in the White House, and the president at one point said to her little sister Agnes, "You're the prettiest girl who has entered the house." Rose remarked later, "I knew right then that I would have to work hard to do something about myself."
I remember also reading excerpts from her Jan. 23, 1995 obituary published by The Boston Globe, when Mrs. Kennedy was asked to reflect upon what were the greatest thrills of her life, one of the first she mentioned was being at her second born son John's inauguration in January 1961 as the 34th President General Dwight D. Eisenhower's successor. However, she recalled other highlights few people might remember. In the late 1930s, her husband was named U.S. ambassador to Great Britain. While living overseas, the Kennedy family was invited to attend the coronation of Pius XII in March 1939. They enjoyed a private audience with the new Pope. In 1951, she had the rare title of papal countess, conferred on her by the Vatican in recognition of her "exemplary motherhood and many charitable works." She was only the sixth woman from the U.S. to have the title bestowed upon her by the Roman Catholic Church.
Who was Rose Kennedy? I am reminded of an unfortunate event that occurred in her life during the roaring 1920s, her millionaire husband Joseph, flaunted an adulterous affair with silent screen award winning actress and fashion icon Ms. Gloria Swanson (b.1899-d.1984), who once said about her lover's wife, Rose, "She must be a saint, a fool, or just a better actress than me."
In their first 18 years of marriage, Rose and Joseph had nine children. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. was born in 1915, John in 1917, Rosemary in 1918, Kathleen in 1920, Eunice in 1921, Patricia in 1924, Robert in 1925, Jean in 1928 and Edward in 1932.
The matriarch, Rose was born in the hood of Boston's North End on July 22, 1890, the eldest of five children born to the Hon. John Francis (Honey Fitz) and Mary Josephine Hannon Fitzgerald.
She was first introduced to politics as a very young child. When she was 5, her father was a member of the United States Congress representing the commonwealth of Massachusetts' ninth district. By the time she turned 15, Honey Fitz was one of the most popular and colorful mayors the city of Boston had ever known. Her father once took Rose and her sister Agnes to visit the 25th President William McKinley (b.1843-d.1901) in the White House, and the president at one point said to her little sister Agnes, "You're the prettiest girl who has entered the house." Rose remarked later, "I knew right then that I would have to work hard to do something about myself."
I remember also reading excerpts from her Jan. 23, 1995 obituary published by The Boston Globe, when Mrs. Kennedy was asked to reflect upon what were the greatest thrills of her life, one of the first she mentioned was being at her second born son John's inauguration in January 1961 as the 34th President General Dwight D. Eisenhower's successor. However, she recalled other highlights few people might remember. In the late 1930s, her husband was named U.S. ambassador to Great Britain. While living overseas, the Kennedy family was invited to attend the coronation of Pius XII in March 1939. They enjoyed a private audience with the new Pope. In 1951, she had the rare title of papal countess, conferred on her by the Vatican in recognition of her "exemplary motherhood and many charitable works." She was only the sixth woman from the U.S. to have the title bestowed upon her by the Roman Catholic Church.
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