Adelaide FitzGerald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lady Adelaide FitzGerald
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1860 Castle Forbes, Newtownforbes, County Longford
|
| Died | 18 November 1942 (aged 81–82) Johnstown Castle, County Longford
|
| Resting place | Private cemetery at Johnstown Castle |
| Spouse(s) |
Lord Maurice FitzGerald
(m. 1880; death 1901) |
| Children | 4, only one of whom survived Lady FitzGerald |
| Parent(s) | Countess Jane Forbes and George Hastings Forbes, 7th Earl of Granard |
Lady Adelaide FitzGerald (1860 – 1942) was a kind and active person who lived in Wexford, Ireland. She cared a lot about helping people, especially children. She and her husband were the last family to live in Johnstown Castle. After she passed away, the castle became part of a college for farming. Lady Adelaide spent her life helping those in need, like the poor, sick people, and even animals.
Lady Adelaide's Early Life
.jpg)
Adelaide Jane Frances Forbes was born in 1860. Her birthplace was Castle Forbes in Newtownforbes, County Longford. She was the oldest daughter of George Hastings Forbes, who was the 7th Earl of Granard. Her mother was Countess Jane Forbes.
In April 1880, Adelaide married Lord Maurice FitzGerald. He was the second son of Charles FitzGerald, the 4th Duke of Leinster. After their marriage, Lady Adelaide moved to live at Johnstown Castle.
Lady Adelaide and Lord Maurice had four children together:
- Geraldine (born 1880)
- Gerald Hugh (born 1883)
- Kathleen (born 1892)
- Marjorie (born 1896)
Sadly, Lord Maurice FitzGerald passed away in 1901. He was 48 years old. Later, their son Gerald was killed in France in 1914. This happened during the early part of the First World War.
Helping the Community
Lady Adelaide and her husband, Lord Maurice, cared deeply about helping others. They especially wanted to make sure that poor people received good medical care. Lord Maurice also worried about animals that were treated badly. He cared about children who had no parents and people who were sick or in prison.
After her husband passed away, Lady Adelaide became even more involved in community work. People started calling her Lady Maurice. She became a very important person in the Wexford area. She led many different groups, including:
- The Wexford Board of Guardians
- The Wexford branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
- The Women's National Health Association
- The Wexford Horticultural Society
- The South Wexford Beekeepers Association
Lady Adelaide continued the community efforts that her husband had supported. She was also very active in church activities. Just like her husband, she was especially concerned about helping people who were poor.
During the First World War, Lady Adelaide helped with the Queen Mother's Clothing Guild. She was the chairperson of the Wexford branch. She also led efforts to help Belgian refugees who came to Ireland during the war.
Later Life and Legacy
Lady Adelaide FitzGerald passed away in November 1942. She was 82 years old. She is buried with her family members in a private cemetery at Johnstown Castle.
Only one of her four children was still alive when she died. Her only son, Gerald, had passed away earlier. After Lady Adelaide's death, her grandson, Maurice Victor Lakin, gave the Johnstown Castle Estate to the state. This meant the castle and its lands could be used for public benefit. It became an agricultural college, which is still there today.
