Quay, Susan Christian 1845-1932

QUAY, JOHNSTON, HABURN

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 7/5/2016 at 13:21:15

STORM LAKE PILOT TRIBUNE - Jan 5, 1933 - Mrs. Susan Quay, beloved resident of Storm Lake and community, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry Johnston, in Hayes township, early Saturday morning after a few days illness with pneumonia. Mrs. Quay, who was in her 88th year, had been a resident of Storm Lake and Hayes township for forty years and was well known.

Funeral services were held from her home, 425 Ontario street, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev Edward L. Gibson, pastor of Lakeside Presbyterian church, officiating. Interment was in the family lot in the local cemetery. Mrs. H.E. Farnsworth sang two selections during the services, "Nearer My God to Thee" and "Rock of Ages." Bearers were six grandsons: Robert, Roy, and Thomas Haburn of Washta, Burl and Archie Haburn of Cherokee, and Roy Hess of Storm Lake. The funeral was attended by a large number of relatives and friends and the floral tributes were many and beautiful, evidences of the high regard in which Mrs. Quay was held.

Among those from out-of-town in attendance at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Quay of Oklahoma City, Okla and their daughter, Mrs. Louis Rathaid of Tulsa, Okla.; T.E. Quay of Oklahoma City; Mrs. Florence Haburn of Cherokee; and Mrs. Ted Workman of White Bear Lake, Minn.

The Rev. Edward L Gibson paid high tribute to Mrs. Quay in the following obituary read at the funeral: Born on Isle of Man, Mrs. Susan Christian Quay was born in Douglas Parish, Isle of Man on June 10, 1845 and entered her heavenly home Saturday morning, December 31, 1932 aged 87 years, 6 months, and 21 days. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry Johnston, near Storm Lake, where she had been for a number of weeks.

She was about twenty years of age when married to Thomas Quay and to this union was given five children. One daughter, Mona, died when a little girl, but the others still survive and are here today. They are W.F. and T.E. Quay of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Mrs. Florence Haburn of Cherokee; and Mrs. Gertrude Johnston of Storm Lake. She also leaves 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Quay was brought up in the Episcopal faith in an atmosphere almost puritanical in its teachings, principles and influences. This strong Christian characteristic, the result of Godly heritage and a strongly marked religious environment, remained with her thru out her life and prepared her for the struggles and achievements incident to a life spent in large part pioneering in a new, unsettled country.

Mr. and Mrs. Quay came to the United Stales in the fall of 1867, locating first near Galva, IL. They resided here until 1893, at that time moving to Hayes township, near Storm Lake. It was there that Mr. Quay died about 36 years ago. Mrs Quay came to Storm Lake in the fall of 1910 and has lived here since.

When Mrs. Quay came to northwest Iowa, she found a country of wide stretches and with sparse habitation. It was before the time of good roads and automobiles. Skilled medical care was hard to secure and a few of the older ones of this community remember today with gratitude in their hearts the ministry of Mother Quay when into those pioneer homes the new child arrived, when sickness fastened its hold upon some family oft times many miles away from the Quay home, or when some serious accident occurred bringing injury in its wake to some neighbor. Mrs. Quay seemed to be a natural nurse and it was not long until the whole community began to rely upon her and to lean upon her as the recognized Good Samaritan in times of sickness.

She would often walk miles and go in all kinds of weather and all hours of the night to minister in her efficient and kindly way to those in dire need. She was looked upon by the entire country round about as the nurse whose skill was rarely defeated and who never turned a deaf ear to those in distress. It is impossible to estimate the meaning of this life that had entered so vitally into the home lives of so many in that new period of northwest Iowa history. Her part in ushering into the home precious lives and in preserving life in those days when hardship and sacrifice added its extra strain makes her name and memory revered most lovingly and sacredly by all who knew her.

Mrs. Quay was not only endowed with a big heart but with a big mind. She had a remarkable memory and could recite poetry by the hour. She was a student of the Bible and many of the Psalms were her consolation and source of inspiration along life's path. Life to her was a sacred trust and to it she gave the best of her heart impulses and her intellectual faculties. Mrs. Quay was a charter members of the Pilgrim church, south of Storm Lake, and the Pilgrim church Women's Missionary society. When she moved to Storm Lake she transferred her church membership and allegiance to the Lakeside Presbyterian church here.