Greenburgh Public Library Blog

Stories behind the Stones: Film, Theater, and Radio Stars at the Cemetery of the Gate of Heaven

Just up the road from the library is a walk back into history. 

I am a librarian with a love of old pictures and family stories.  Cemeteries fascinate me with the art, design, and types of materials used.   It is exciting to "re-discover" and remember the famous movie stars, athletes, and authors buried within our community. Located just four miles from the Greenburgh Public Library is the Gate of Heaven Cemetery at 10 W. Stevens Avenue in Hawthorne. 

Land for Gate of Heaven Cemetery was purchased by the Trustees of St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1916 and an initial gothic design replicating Saint Patrick's Cathedral was approved for the property and building began immediately. John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York, to dedicate this cemetery on July 14, 1918.

Who's Who of Film, Theater, and Radio

Take a walk or ride through the Gate of Heaven cemetery.  Practice mindfulness and note the beautiful surroundings and the peacefulness of loved ones final resting places. 

Yankee greats Babe Ruth and Billy Martin are buried here.  You'll know which marker it is by a collection of baseballs often found at the Babe's stone.

Did you know Bess Houdini is buried here? Her husband Harry died on October 31, 1926  and is buried at the Machpelah Cemetery in Queens.  Harry was not Catholic and her family insisted that she be buried at the Gate of Heaven cemetery.

Take a closer look at maps and available online information and you'll learn of and be inspired by all the intriguing stories

James  Cagney
July 17, 1899 - March 30, 1986 

Helene Anna Held 
19 March 1872 – 12 August 1918

Known professionally as Anna Held, was a Polish-born French and later Broadway stage performer and singer, often associated with the entrepreneur Florenz Ziegfeld, her common-law husband. Held’s mythical exploits included capturing a runaway horse, daring American women to drive fast, and bathing in gallons of milk. She wore flamboyant costumes and Parisian gowns. She became an early product endorser: There were Anna Held corsets, face powder, pomade, and cigars. She made one movie in 1915, Madame la Presidente.

John Florence Sullivan 
May 31, 1894 – March 17, 1956

Known professionally as Fred Allen, was an American comedian. His illogical, topically pointed radio program The Fred Allen Show (1932–1949) made him one of the most popular and  forward-looking humorists in the Golden Age of Radio. 

Allen started working at the Boston Public Library and took up juggling. He was asked by his library colleagues to do juggling and comedy for a show, they organized. While performing one of the audiences cried out ‘You ought to go on stage’ which inspired him to pursue comedy as a career.

Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner 
January 23, 1876 – February 11, 1943

Better known as Bess Houdini, was the stage assistant and wife of Harry Houdini.

She became Bess Houdini when she met Harry Houdini, about whom she told many conflicting stories. She said she met Houdini when he did a magic show at her high school, and he accidentally spilled acid on her dress. Or, she met him at Coney Island when the Floral Sisters performed in the act after the Houdini brother's magic act. Sometimes, she claimed they were married by a Catholic priest for her mother’s sake. Other times a Rabbi married them, since Houdini was Jewish. She claimed she was barely seventeen, but she was eighteen. No one has discovered any record of their marriage.

Curious? Want to know more about these Hollywood greats?

 I invite you to stop by the library to browse the biographies and our classic film DVDs.  Download eBooks and if you would like -watch classic films using apps from our eLibrary.  

Additonal Resources: 

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/john-florence-sullivan-1424.php
http://www.historyandwomen.com/2016/04/until-death-do-us-part-love-story-of.html
https://www.rebecca-rosenberg.com/six-strange-and-endearing-facts-about-bess-houdini/
https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/Held-Anna