Josephine (Joanna )Holland was born 9 June 1887 at the Holland home in Foulkscourt, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny to Bridget and Patrick Holland being at her birth the fourth child.
At the age of 13 her father died in Danvers, Essex Co. Massachusetts leaving her mother expecting a child and seven children to raise. The home was very small for that large of a family but Bridge managed with the help of her oldest daughters. The farm was owned by the Holland but they had to pay money to the local Lord Healy who lived across the road from Foulkscourt. The Lord Healy told Bridget if she would plant a row of tree on her hill that he could view she won't have to pay any longer.
When Josephine was 22 years old she left for New York City as had her two older sister Mary and Bridget had done. Josephine arrived with $10.00 but was able to live with her sisters . She first found work as a housemaid but was fortunate to obtain a position as a cook at the Hotel Sperry on park Ave. She worked there until she married Daniel Broderick who had immigrated from Country Kerry. They married in 1914 and had five children. Daniel worked for the subway and Josephine had a boarding house taking in young Irish coming to New York City. Her grandson William tells what a grand cook his grandmother was being able to cook potatoes a 50 ways!
Josephine lived to 89 years of age before passing 2 February 1977 in New Milford, New Jersey. Her husband Daniel had passed two year before.
Josephine was a good woman liked by all and a devout Catholic.
