Bridget Schwabrow

Bridget Schwabrow, 81, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2025, after a courageous second battle with breast cancer. She was born on December 27, 1943, in Niskayuna, NY, to Mary and Harold Whitford. The story goes that her mother had to walk up the hill to the hospital on a snowy New York day because the taxi refused to drive up the slope. That story—and the grit behind it—set the tone for Bridget's life. Growing up as a city girl in Schenectady, NY, she attended St. Columbus High School and always dreamed of living in the country. Bridget joined 4-H as a way to meet country folks, which led her to the county fair in Altamont, NY, where she met her cowboy and future husband, John Schwabrow. Though they lived more than 40 miles apart, they exchanged letters and saw each other yearly at the fair. After three years of long-distance courting and graduating high school, Bridget and John married in November 1962 at Fort Devens, MA, where John was stationed. They welcomed three children: Michael in 1963, Norrine in 1965, and Patrick in 1967. As a wedding gift from John's parents, they received land off the family farm, and John built Bridget a home and barn, complete with horses, cattle, and poultry. During this time, John played in a band in the Catskill Mountain Area, and Bridget, who had a beautiful singing voice, occasionally joined him. She formed a lifelong friendship with Cindy, the wife of John's accordion player, and was thrilled to see her during one of her final outings last month. In 1972, after escaping a freezing New York winter for a vacation in Florida, Bridget and John made the permanent move to South Florida four years later. Bridget loved the warmth and often told others she moved to "get out of the cold." She began a successful career in retail management, specializing in fabrics, where she loved chatting with customers and making friends daily. Bridget was a proud Band Mom, supporting her three children through their years in High School marching bands. When her daughter married and relocated to Orlando, Bridget and John followed in 1988, where Bridget supported John's new construction business. Bridget spent over 30 years tracing her Irish ancestry and John's German roots. She helped countless others with their genealogy research as well. She traveled to Ireland seven times, forging meaningful connections with her extended family there and celebrating her Irish heritage in every way she could. Bridget cherished her role as grandmother to Megan and Jeremy, especially during their early years, when she regularly looked after them, took them on outings, and filled their days with love, laughter, and care. When they started school, she returned to work at House of Ireland, a family-owned Irish import business, where she worked for 20 years before retiring. In her later years, Bridget finally fulfilled her dream of living in a small country town. She and John relocated to Texas, embraced the quiet of rural life, enjoyed rodeos, country music and living near their youngest son and family, and traveled in their motorhome to visit family and favorite places in Wisconsin, New York, Tennessee, and Florida. Bridget's many hobbies brought her joy: writing letters and cards, sewing, reading, genealogy, square dancing, concerts, Irish American Club events, following Miami Hurricanes football, loving her dogs, and passionately supporting her favorite Irish band, Gaelic Storm. She stayed closely connected to her Irish family and dear friends, especially Cindy. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Saturday, May 3, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. Bridget's sense of humor, witty jokes and love for all things Irish will live on through our shared memories and every Irish tune. Bridget lived her life the best she knew and left this earth wanting only for her family to be loved, healthy and happy. While our hearts mourn the loss, we take comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering. In Bridget's final thoughts she shared her pride for her children and grandchildren and deep gratitude to her friends. Although Bridget is gone, she will live in our hearts forever. She is survived by her beloved husband, John; children Michael (Kelly), Norrine (Charlie), and Patrick (Pam); grandchildren Megan, Jeremy, Kendal, Grant, Isabella, Chloe, and Isaac; and great-grandchildren Kash, Memphis, Peyton, Rylee, and a great-granddaughter who will be joyfully welcomed in June.