Cecelia Florence Whalen (1880 - 1913)

WHALEN, BYRNE, KELLEHER, COOPER

Posted By: M. J. Fitzgerald (email)
Date: 10/11/2009 at 19:31:53

Celia Florence Whalen, 33 yrs 10 mos, b. January 1, 1880, single, daughter of Kern Whalen and Caroline Hurm, died Nov. 9, 1913 of tuberculosis of the lungs (Allamakee County Death Records). She is buried at Gethsemane Cemetery, Lansing, IA. Obituary in the November 19, 1913, edition of the Allamakee Journal newspaper reads:

Tribute to a Beautiful Life

After an illness extending over a year, Miss Cecelia Whalen passed to the great beyond, Sunday, about the noon hour. Ill health had been Miss Whalen’s cross for several years back, but naturally of a very cheerful temperament, she gave the impression of a strength she did not possess. In December of 1912 she suffered a severe attack of pneumonia and inflammatory rheumatism, and from that until death her decline has been rapid. Twelve days ago a hemorrhage of the lungs ensued, followed by a second on Saturday, the patient never rallying from the last, gradually growing weaker until the end came.

Deceased was the fourth daughter of Kerns Whalen, Sr., of Lafayette, and the first of a family of twelve children, all grown, to answer the call of death. A grand and noble Christian girl, she endeared herself to a large circle of friends by her sweet and unaffected manner.

Since the death of her mother, six years ago the care of the household duties devolved largely upon her, and no efforts were spared, no task omitted, that would tend toward the happiness of the home circle and the sunshine of her cheerful presence will be sadly missed.

Thirty-four years of age had she lived until January first, God called her in the summer time of life, but short though the space allotted, it was lived unselfishly in the interest of others, with a heart full of love and sympathy for the suffering ones on earth, a veritable benediction to all who knew her.

Left to mourn her early passing are Mesdames Byrne, Kelleher, Manning of Lafayette, and H. Cooper, Dubuque, Miss Gertrude at home; Matthew, Thomas, Will, Joseph, Kerns, and George, the latter all residents of the immediate vicinity but two, Kerns of Minnesota, and Joseph of Mason City.

Funeral services were conducted from Immaculate Conception Catholic church, Tuesday morning, and the remains laid to rest in beautiful Gethsemane, beside the mother.