Mary T. Joyce 1855-1932

JOYCE, KELLY, BRENNAN, JOYNT, KANE, HOBEN, AYLWARD, MCGUIRE

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 2/23/2010 at 05:06:46

Mrs. Edward Joyce passed away at her home in Emmetsburg township Sunday morning following a stroke 18 days ago. The funeral was held Tuesday morning. Services were conducted in St. Thomas church, the pastor, Father McNerney officiating. The interment was in St. John's cemetery. The pall bearers were Douglas Brennan, Edward Joyce, Leo Joyce, Earl Joynt, Edward Brennan and John Kane, all grandsons of the deceased. There was a large attendance of relatives, old neighbors and friends at the obsequies.

Mary T. Kelly was born at Harpers Ferry, Allamakee county, March 25, 1855. Hence she was nearing the close of her 76th year. She was married in the Wexford Catholic church in Allamakee county to Mr. Edward Joyce, October 12, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Joyce came to Palo Alto county in 1878. Nine sons and daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Joyce, one daughter, Mrs. Chas. Kane, passing away in July, 1928. Mr Joyce died many years ago. He was a Civil war veteran.

The surviving sons and daughters are J.W. Joyce, Mrs. M.W. Brennan, Thomas P., Edward T., and Joseph A., all of Emmetsburg; John P. and Mrs. T.A. Hoben of Ayrshire and Mrs. Richard Aylward of DeGraff, Minnesota. Her death is also mourned by her only sister, Mrs. J.F. McGuire of Dubuque. There are 49 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Mrs. Joyce won her way to well deserved recognition among the early pioneer wives and mothers of our county. She was a quiet, patient, unassuming lady and she never sought social prestige. She was at all times looking carefully after the needs of her large family of loving sons and daughters and she spared no effort to have them grow up exemplary and dutiful young men and young women.

Her late husband was a soldier during the Civil war and he proved himself a patriotic bearer of the colors that were at all times an inspiration to him. We believe that on one occasion an effort was made to force him into the service of the Confederates but some faithful friend came to his assistance and he did not have to leave the Union ranks. He passed away at a comparatively early age and Mrs. Joyce was left alone to provide for the many little folks about her fireside.

Friends and neighbors were glad to counsel her and give her encouragement in her efforts. On attaining the years of manhood and womanhood, her boys and her girls proved very helpful and consoling to her. The have every reason to cherish the memory of one of the best of mothers and one of the most exemplary of Christian ladies. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends in Allamakee county as well as in Palo Alto goes out to them in their present bereavement.

~The Democrat, Palo Alto county, Iowa
March 3, 1932