Obituary for Frances A. Connick (Brady)
Born on the Latoon farm in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, Ireland in 1929 to Frances and Barney, Frances Brady was raised with her seven brothers and sisters where they walked through the fields to a one-room schoolhouse. Later she bicycled to high school and upon graduation, worked at a local hotel.
Contrary to her future husband’s tale, she did not swim the Atlantic when she saw a photo of him, handsome Tom Connick, but came to the United States by ship for more job opportunities.
First she lived in the Bronx with the Connick family who opened their home to young women when they first arrived from Ireland. Once on her feet, with a job on John Street in downtown Manhattan, she moved to Long Island City with her oldest brother Paddy, and then worked for Pepsi Cola.
She married Tom Connick in 1955, and although their budget was modest and their wedding reception was at the Knights of Columbus, her wedding gown was bought at Saks Fifth Avenue. She was happy to hear that Kate Middleton’s gown so closely resembled hers.
They bought a home in Astoria, Queens and welcomed their four children: TJ, Pauline (Rick Anderson), Kathleen (Eric Williamson) and Eileen (the late Kevin Wiseman.) She was a devoted mother and tireless homemaker who kept a sparkling home and a garden full of roses. Their life revolved around their home and family, the park across the street, and their parish, St. Francis of Assisi.
Eventually she worked at local banks and St. John’s High School, but her passion was the volunteer work she did with the Queens Citizen Organization which organized churches to work for social justice and equity for the working classes.
When their children were grown, Tom and Frances moved to Ossining, then West Milford, New Jersey. When Tom died, she moved to Pleasantville, New York.
She was beloved by all her grandchildren, Danny, Eric and Mary Anderson; Graham and Corinne Williamson; and perhaps most strongly by Seamus and Brendan Wiseman who lost their father so young. Frances devoted herself to their love and care. She loved her great grandsons, Owen and Rudy, and admired how wonderfully they were being raised by their parents, Lauren and Danny.
Even in her later years, she was recognized as a beautiful woman of style and grace and gentility. Her passing is mourned by many.
Contrary to her future husband’s tale, she did not swim the Atlantic when she saw a photo of him, handsome Tom Connick, but came to the United States by ship for more job opportunities.
First she lived in the Bronx with the Connick family who opened their home to young women when they first arrived from Ireland. Once on her feet, with a job on John Street in downtown Manhattan, she moved to Long Island City with her oldest brother Paddy, and then worked for Pepsi Cola.
She married Tom Connick in 1955, and although their budget was modest and their wedding reception was at the Knights of Columbus, her wedding gown was bought at Saks Fifth Avenue. She was happy to hear that Kate Middleton’s gown so closely resembled hers.
They bought a home in Astoria, Queens and welcomed their four children: TJ, Pauline (Rick Anderson), Kathleen (Eric Williamson) and Eileen (the late Kevin Wiseman.) She was a devoted mother and tireless homemaker who kept a sparkling home and a garden full of roses. Their life revolved around their home and family, the park across the street, and their parish, St. Francis of Assisi.
Eventually she worked at local banks and St. John’s High School, but her passion was the volunteer work she did with the Queens Citizen Organization which organized churches to work for social justice and equity for the working classes.
When their children were grown, Tom and Frances moved to Ossining, then West Milford, New Jersey. When Tom died, she moved to Pleasantville, New York.
She was beloved by all her grandchildren, Danny, Eric and Mary Anderson; Graham and Corinne Williamson; and perhaps most strongly by Seamus and Brendan Wiseman who lost their father so young. Frances devoted herself to their love and care. She loved her great grandsons, Owen and Rudy, and admired how wonderfully they were being raised by their parents, Lauren and Danny.
Even in her later years, she was recognized as a beautiful woman of style and grace and gentility. Her passing is mourned by many.