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Lucy Marie (Verza) Fitzgerald Papers Finding Aid: Collection Overview

Title: Lucy Marie (Verza) Fitzgerald Papers

Date(s): Unknown Dates, c. 1920-c. 2016 (majority, c. 1920-c. 1950)

Repository I.D.: US: MBEmm: Al-2015-3

Collection Call No.: Al-2015-3

Author/Collector/Creator: Fitzgerald, Lcucy M. Verza (1915-2011)

Location: Emmanuel Archives—Cardinal Cushing Library 202

Extent: 3.58 linear feet ( 30 folders/ 10 paintings and 2 sketches)

Language(s): Materials are in English.

Abstract: This collection focuses on the undergraduate work of Lucy (Verza) Fitzgerald ’37 with a particular emphasis on her English compositions and poetry. It also contains a collection of Mrs. Fitzgerald’s family photographs and original artwork.

Access Restrictions: 1) The collection is not restricted. 2) Tax return is restricted until 2050. 3) Some material is under copyright. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the College Archivist.

Preferred Citation:

[Folder Title]. [Box Number, Folder Number]. Emmanuel News. Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College Archives, Boston, MA.

Provenance: The collection was created and under the care of Lucy M. (Verza) Fitzgerald until 2011. After her death, the collection was donated to Emmanuel College by her son Daniel Fitzgerald. The physical and intellectual transfer of the collection occurred in October 2015.

Processed By: Processed by John P. Healey, Jr. in September 2020.

Biography/History: Born in Peabody, Massachusetts in 1915, Lucy Marie (Verza) Fitzgerald ‘37 was the daughter of the late Louis and Teresa (Bertoldi) Verza, immigrants from Italy’s Veneto region. She was raised alongside her three sisters while attending St. John, the Baptist, School and St. John’s High School in Peabody, where she was formally introduced to the English Language by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She graduated high school in 1933.

In 1933, Ms. Verza entered Boston University, however, she found the student body, the sciences and the German requirement not to her liking and transferred to Emmanuel College where and matriculated as an English student. At Emmanuel, Ms. Verza was a member of the Epilogue staff and the Solidarity of the Blessed Virgin. She was also a member of the Literary Society where she had the opportunity to interview Carl Sandburg, person she would later describe as “crusty, unhappy old man.” Mr. Verza graduated from Emmanuel in 1937 and proceeded two years as a substitute teacher in the Peabody School System. She would later marry Richard W. Fitzgerald  and raise a son, Daniel Fitzgerald.

Lucy (Verza) Fitzgerald then shifted her career from teaching to the industrial sector and became a bookkeeper with the Verza Tanning Company. Her duties entailed general ledger accounting that resulted with “columns and columns of figures in my [Lucy Vera Fitzgerald] sleep”.  At the Verrza Tanning Company where she assisted her father, Louis Verza, the President, with English translations for  correspondences and in meetings. In addition, her duties included being a substitute nurse in the factory.  Her recollections of medical emergencies ranged from fractures skulls, to shredded arms and war related seizures. Mrs. (Verza) Fitzgerald would eventually serve as the  Assistant Treasurer of both the Verza Tanning Company and the New Hampshire Hide Corporation.

In addition to her career, Lucy (Verza) Fitzgerald was a polymath of the arts, she transcended the mediums of painting, crafting, and the written word to produce oil paintings, crafted flowers, nature decorations and collections of short stories. She exhibited in local art shows and symposia. A passionate reader of English literature, she was happy to convey her passion to students and enthusiasts alike.
Lucy M. (Verza) Fitzgerald died on January 22, 2011 at the age of ninety-five (95).

Scope and Content: This collection focuses on the undergraduate work of Lucy (Verza) Fitzgerald ’37 with a particular emphasis on her English compositions and poetry. It also contains a collection of Mrs. Fitzgerald’s family photographs and original artwork. The collection also contains a small segment of Mrs. Fitzgerald’s professional work from the Verza Tanning Company that was owned by her father, Louis Vera, until his death in 1969. The materials date from circa 1920 through circa 2016. Most of the material dates between circa 1920 through circa 1950. Some material has unknown dates.

Collection Arrangement:The collection is arranged into three series that include: 1. Undergraduate Coursework, 2. Professional Documents and 3. Personal Documents, Photographs and Artwork