Maureen O’Hara, the fiery redhead who starred in classics such as “The Quiet Man” and “Miracle on 34th Street”, was one of the most beloved actresses of Hollywood’s golden age. She passed away peacefully in her sleep of natural causes at the age of 95 in 2015, according to People1. But less than a year later, her only child, Bronwyn Fitzsimons, also died unexpectedly at her home in Ireland. What was the cause of death for Maureen O’Hara’s daughter, and what legacy did she leave behind?
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Bronwyn Fitzsimons: The Only Child of Maureen O’Hara
Bronwyn Fitzsimons was born in 1944 in Los Angeles, California, as the only child of Maureen O’Hara and her second husband, William Houston Price, an American film director. She was named after the character played by Anna Lee in the film “How Green Was My Valley”, in which O’Hara starred. She inherited her mother’s original maiden name, Fitzsimons, and followed her footsteps into the glamorous world of Hollywood.
Bronwyn appeared in several films and TV shows in the 1960s and 1970s, such as “Spencer’s Mountain”, “The Ravagers”, “The Virginian” and “McHale’s Navy”. She married David Steinberg in 1968 and gave birth to a son, Conor Beau Fitzsimons, in 1970. Conor would also pursue a career in the film industry as a producer and director.
A Car Accident and a Move to Ireland
In her 40s, Bronwyn was involved in a car accident that plagued her with pain for many years to come, according to IrishCentral. She moved to Ireland with her mother, who had purchased a home in Glengarriff, Cork, in 1970. The five-bedroom property had 35 acres of grounds attached to it and became a retreat for the mother-daughter duo. Bronwyn made a number of friends in the local area and even ran a small cafe in the town for a while.
In October 2014, O’Hara announced that she was saying goodbye to Ireland and moving to Idaho, where Conor and his two children had made a life for themselves. It was the beginning of the end for the O’Hara/Fitzsimons clan’s association with West Cork. O’Hara passed away the following October and was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, next to her husband, US Navy pilot General Charles Blair who died in a plane crash in 1978.
Bronwyn Fitzsimons’ Death: A Shocking Discovery
In May 2016, barely seven months after her mother’s death, Bronwyn was found dead in her cottage in Glengariff at the age of 71. Her death was not treated as suspicious at the time, according to IrishCentral2. She was last seen locally on Tuesday, May 24th, and a home helper found her sitting in an armchair on Wednesday, May 25th. The cause of death was not officially revealed, but some sources speculated that it could have been related to her long-term health issues or a heart attack.
Bronwyn’s death was a tragic loss for her family and friends, who remembered her as a kind and generous person who loved animals and nature. She was survived by her son Conor, who inherited his grandmother’s estate, and her grandchildren Everest and Bailey.
A Legacy of Love and Talent
Bronwyn Fitzsimons may not have achieved the same fame and success as her mother Maureen O’Hara, but she left behind a legacy of love and talent that will not be forgotten. She was a devoted daughter, mother and grandmother who shared a close bond with her family. She was also an actress who had a passion for performing and entertaining. She will always be remembered as the only child of one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars.
