Geraldine Fitzgerald (November 24, 1913 - July 17, 2005)

This classy Irish leading lady appeared in 42 films between 1934 and 1986. On television she guest starred on such shows as "Climax!", "Robert Montgomery Presents", "Studio One", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour", "Lou Grant", "Trapper John, M.D.", "Cagney & Lacey" and "St. Elsewhere." She made her final screen appearance in the 1991 made for television movie "Bump in the Night." The reason she is being remembered on this blog is for her very memorable performances on "The Golden Girls." She appeared in two very special episodes. Her first appearance was in the episode "Mother's Day" which aired in 1988. While awaiting for calls from their children the girls each tell a story about a touching moment from previous Mother's Days. Rose Nylund (Betty White) talks about a time when she was on her way home to St. Olaf and she got stuck in this little bus station. She ends up sitting on a bench next to Anna (Fitzgerald) and the two discuss many things and share some laughs. As it gets dark Rose tells Anna that perhaps she should call her daughter and tell her that she is going to be late. Anna then tells Rose her daughter is dead and that she goes to the cemetery on Mother's Day. It was always a special day for the two of them and she likes to pretend it still is. She then confesses to Rose that she ran away from the home to make the trip and fears she will be caught. Shortly after an officer arrives and requests that Anna come with him back to the home. Rose springs into action and insists that the sheriff is mistaken and tells him that Anna is in fact her mother and they are on their way home. At that point the announcement is made that the buses have arrived so Rose hustles Anna to the doorway with the sheriff shaking his head. Before the scene ends...Anna stops and says "Thank you Rose" to which Rose replies "Happy Mother's Day!" It is such a great moment it gives me gooseflesh right now to think of it. Betty White and Geraldine Fitzgerald were perfect in that scene it was such an important moment and it is handled beautifully. Geraldine's second appearance was in the episode "Not Another Monday" which aired in 1989. This time around she played Martha Lamont a friend of Sophia's (Estelle Getty). After attending the funeral of friend who hand been ill and in pain for a long time Martha decides she wants to committ suicide and because she has no family she asks Sophia to sit with her as she takes the pills and dies. At first Sophia agrees but when the moment comes she begs her friend to change her mind...saying "we're not in this life for peace!" When Martha says she is so confused Sophia reminds her that if she goes through with it she can't change her mind later. Finally Martha decides not to take her own life after all. Estelle Getty very seldom got the chance for some tears and drama but when it did happen you took notice and the scenes between her and Geraldine are very touching. Great work...! Not only did Geraldine earn a place during the golden age of Hollywood she also became a favorite of many "Golden Girls" fans.