MITCHELL, Mary

MITCHELL, OHARA

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 3/2/2005 at 12:40:08

Died at her home in Dougherty Saturday July 16, at 8 o'clock p.m. Mrs Mary Mitchell, wife of Michael Mitchell, aged eighty-six years and seven months.

Mrs. Mitchell whose maiden name was Mary O'Hara was born near Swanlibar, County Cavan, Ireland. She came to this country when about twenty years of age and settled in Chicago where she was married to Michael Mitchell, July 4, 1864.

After living a number of years in Chicago she came west with her husband and settled in Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa. In the fall of 1872 they moved on a farm they had purchased in this township where she and her husband have lived ever since.

Her husband and two sons Edward and Frank survive her and were present at the funeral, the former living on a farm just across the line in Floyd County, and the latter living in Waterloo. One son, John died when he was but ten years old.

Mrs. Mitchell has been an invalid for a number of years being stricken with what the doctors call Chronic Arthritis Deformans, a peculiar disease acting somewhat like rheumatism in the smaller joints of the body, twisting them entirely out of shape.

For thirty-four years she has suffered with this terrible malady during which time she manifested the greatest patience, always resigned to the will of God.

For the past five years she has been confined to her home, where in her retired and lonely solitude she communed with her God, preparing her soul for its departure from this world.

During all these years Mr. Mitchell was a faithful watcher by the beside of his wife, sacrificing every comfort, leaving his farm and moving into town where he might be the better able to attend to her every want.

Mrs. Mitchell was a zealous and most practical Catholic and died fortified with all the rites and consolation that religion can give.

Her funeral took place on Monday from her home, interment at St. Patrick's Church where a requiem high mass was celebrated by her pastor, Rev. P. D. O'Reilly, after which he paid a glowing tribute to the many virtues in her patient and suffering life.
May her soul rest in peace.