Kathleen Fitzgerald

1929 - 2026

OBITUARY

Kathleen Houlihan Fitzgerald passed away peacefully at 96 ½ years young, surrounded by her loving family, on July 31, 2026. Born on November 17, 1929, in Glen Fahan, Ventry, Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, Kathleen was the beloved daughter of John Houlihan and Johanna Sayers.

Kathleen came to New York and built a beautiful life rooted in faith, family, hard work, and love. On April 22, 1961, she married Thomas Joseph Fitzgerald in the Bronx, New York. Together, they created a home filled with warmth, laughter, Irish tradition, and deep devotion to their children and grandchildren.

Kathleen was predeceased by her parents and her four siblings, Molly, Patrick, Michael, and Peter, her goddaughter and niece, Joan Waldron and godson Pádraig Long.

She is survived by her six children and thirteen grandchildren: her daughter Joan Coyle and her husband, Kevin, and their children Kevin and his wife, Maria, John and his wife, Candice, and Thomas; her daughter Eileen Fitzgerald and her husband, Matthew Kehoe, and their children Colette, Kieran, and Mairead; Mary “Maura” Gattis and her husband, William, and their children Kathleen, Grainne, and Liam; her son Michael Fitzgerald; her daughter Deirdre Fitzgerald and her husband, Timothy “Mick” McCarthy, and their children Niamh and Ava; and her son Brian Fitzgerald and his wife, Erin Patton, and their children Maggie and Patrick. Kathleen was also blessed with a great-grandson, Colin.

Kathleen is also survived by ten nieces and nephews and their children in Ireland. Her niece Catherine “Cait” Hart, Cait’s husband, James, and their sons Ryan, Declan, and Eammon held a special place in her heart. Cait emigrated from Slea Head, County Kerry, and became a cherished link to Kathleen’s homeland. Together, they spoke Irish, shared their Kerry connection, and proudly cheered, “Up the Kingdom.”

Known lovingly as “Some Woman for One Woman,” an Irish expression used to praise someone deeply capable, hardworking, and impressive, Kathleen truly embodied the phrase. When she decided to leave her home in the West of Ireland, she wrote to her father’s brother in the Bronx to ask if he would sponsor her for citizenship. Her Uncle Michael enthusiastically welcomed her and sent his son, John Houlihan, to meet her at the ship terminal in New York City.

During the crossing from Ireland, Kathleen met her future husband, Joe Fitzgerald. Though Joe had been born in America, he had returned to Reenconnell, County Kerry, with his parents and siblings at the age of five. Despite living only ten miles apart in Kerry, they had never met. After disembarking, they went their separate ways, only to meet again a year later at Gaelic Park, where their courtship began.

Kathleen and Joe made many friends in the Bronx and were part of a close Irish circle of family and friends from the Dingle area. They married on April 22, 1961, and lived in Fordham during the early years of their marriage. In 1965, they made the move to Garden City Park, New York, where they raised their family, became active members of Holy Spirit R.C. Church, the Irish American Center and were beloved friends to those on Atlantic Avenue and throughout the surrounding neighborhood. Joe was an active member of the Kerryman’s association and one of their favorite nights of the year was the annual “Kerry Dance” at the Astoria Manor where they would reconnect with Kerry friends from home. When Joe became ill with Alzheimer’s disease, Kathleen cared for him at home for many years. During that time, they moved to Cherry Valley in Garden City, New York, where they were fortunate to be surrounded by more loving and caring neighbors who became close friends. Joe and Kathleen remained each other’s best friend, confidant and loving partners until Joe’s passing in 2016.

Though his loss was difficult, Kathleen continued to embrace life. She was always ready to jump in the car to visit family and friends, and in her later years she enjoyed many girls’ trips with her daughters to celebrate milestone birthdays. If there was an adventure to be had, Kathleen wanted to be part of it. Her zest for life kept her young and vibrant, with the enthusiasm and spirit of a young girl always up for a good ‘craic’.

In 2023, Kathleen made her last trip to Ireland, returning to her home on Slea Head to celebrate her grandnephew’s wedding. She treasured every moment, traveling down memory lane and retracing the days of her youth.

Kathleen will be remembered for her strength, kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for her family. Her Irish spirit, humor, and resilience shaped the lives of all who knew her, and her legacy will continue through the family and friends she loved so deeply.

VISITATION

Monday, August 3 2:00 - 4:00 PM & 7:00 - 9:00 PM

New Hyde Park Funeral Home 506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

Tuesday, August 4

10:45 AM

Notre Dame R.C. Church

5 Mayfair Road, New Hyde Park, N.Y.

INTERMENT

Holy Rood Cemetery 111 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY