Genevieve (Garvan) Brady (1885-1938)

She and her husband were recognized as America's pre-eminent Catholic couple when they were created Papal Duke and Duchess by Pope Pius XI in recognition of their substantial donations to Catholic causes - having given $12-million alone to the Vatican itself. Mrs Brady remains the most highly decorated Catholic lady in America, receiving among other honors the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame. In 1927, she became a Dame of Malta and in 1934 she became the first woman to receive an honorary degree from Georgetown University. She died without children.