The Remarkable Life of Kitty McInerney: How a Poor Irish Immigrant Raised 17 Children in Great Depression New York

by Christopher Prince

On December 7th, 1955, Kitty McInerney lay dying in a New York hospital bed. The forty-seven year-old Irish immigrant, suffering from severe toxemia, was preparing for an emergency c-section to give birth to her 17th child. As a Catholic priest performed her last rites, Kitty succumbed to a rare moment of quiet reflection. While her thoughts centered on the fate of her many young children, Kitty found no solace in contemplating her improbable tale of survival... her impoverished youth in rural Ireland, her courageous journey from a small Irish village to the largest city in the world, and her tireless devotion to an ever-expanding family amidst impossible hardships in the impoverished South Bronx. Nor did Kitty realize how her modest life rode a wave of social and political transformation that would come to define modern America. Poor, burdened, and uncelebrated, Kitty McInerney is remarkable for her unrelenting faith, her unique, individual struggle and for exemplifying the American immigrant experience.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

120 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2009

Reviews

[Rory McAvinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable lady and a great story!

I will add that I'm from the village of Scotshouse that Kitty was from and my grandfather grew up on a farm in Knox where her grandparents lived. Spent many a day in Knox over the years, the land now owned by my uncle who farms it.

[Margie Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read about the authors Mother Kitty. An Irish Catholic who by sheer willpower and fortitude raised her 17 children w no help from their alcoholic father. I enjoyed the quick history lesson of Ireland, the immigration of the unwanted and poor Irish Catholics to the USA , NYC and the "urban renewal" backed by Robert Moses that was responsible for the fall of NYC in the late 1940s, and the migration to the Golden State. Kitty really made me realize how much one can accomplish when they have little choice.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible woman! An absolute Saint! All I could think of while reading of all her sufferings, was that she had it harder than Job! Would have enjoyed pictures! Very short.

[Bridget Holbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but short

I enjoy reading true, life memoirs especially historic ones. This memoir is about a you g Irish woman who comes to America. Her life was hard but she prevailed against pretty hard circumstances. The only thing i didn't like about the book is that it was too quick of a read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

17 Children, an Alcoholic husband and the great depression!