Adela Burke Cahill(1877-1940)

CAHILL, BURKE

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 7/22/2008 at 23:35:37

Jackson Sentinel
February 20, 1940

Funeral Services for Mrs. P. W. Cahill Held at Otter Creek

A mantle of sadness and sorrow, spread over the community of Otter Creek on last Tuesday evening, when word reached relatives and friends here that Mrs. Pierce W. Cahill, 62, had passed away at the home of her sister, Mrs. Dale March, near Andrew, around four o’clock that evening.

Although it was known that Mrs. Cahill had been ill for the past month but few realized that her condition was so serious, or that the end was so near, thus her death came as a shock to her friends in her home neighborhood.

Adella Margaret Burke, the eldest daughter of the late John and Mrs. Mary Welsh-Burke, was born near Springbrook, in Jackson county, Dec. 21, 1877 and passed away, Feb. 13, 1940.

When a year old she removed with her parents to the Burke homestead near Andrew, where she grew to young womanhood. Following her graduation from the Maquoketa high school she was a member of the rural school faculty of Jackson county for several years. Her many pupils of those years remained her life-long friends.

On May 1, 1907 she was married to Pierce W. Cahill at the Sacred Heart church in Maquoketa. Following her marriage she resided on the Cahill homestead east of Otter Creek, in Richland township, until she became ill a month ago when she went to the home of her sister near Andrew, where she was tenderly cared for until death came.

Mrs. Cahill had a kind and cheerful disposition. She was a devoted wife and mother, a loyal friend and neighbor, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. She was a devout Catholic and a faithful member of St. Lawrence’s parish, where she was always willing to take the lead and aid in any way in the promotion of activities for the welfare of their parish.

Surviving besides her husband are two sons, Herbert and Vincent Cahill, and one daughter, Miss Helen Cahill on the home farm. She is also survived by her aged mother, Mrs. John Burke of Maquoketa; a brother, Will Burke, of Andrew; and two sisters, Mrs. J. J. Anglin of Maquoketa and Mrs. Dale March of Andrew; besides a host of sorrowing relatives and friends. A daughter and her father preceded her in death.

Her funeral was held from the March home to St. Lawrence’s church at Otter Creek, on Friday morning where a solemn high mass of requiem was celebrated at 10 o’clock with her cousin, the Rev. Paul Laffey of Sugar Creek, as celebrant, the Rev. George Schmitz of Andrew as deacon and the Rev. P. McNamara of Otter Creek as sub-deacon. The Rev. J. A. Mullen of Maquoketa was master of ceremonies and preached the sermon following the services.

Burial was made in St. Lawrence’s cemetery, where Father Laffey officiated at the prayers at the graveside.