KELLY, Maria (Donahoe) 1858-1917

KELLY, DONAHOE, BARRON, CREGLOW

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 1/20/2003 at 17:16:14

KELLY, MRS. J.H.

Maria Kelly, wife of James Henry Kelly. She died in the family home near Alvord on January 26, 1917.

Mrs. J. H. Kelly (nee Maria Donahoe, was born at South Bend, Ind., May 15,1858, and died January 26, 1917.

In early years with her two sisters, she attended the parochial school of that city, later attending a young ladies' seminary of the same place. At the age of 8 years her mother died, followed six years later by the father, leaving the three orphaned children to face the vicissitudes of an unkind world.

In 1876, with her two sisters, she came west, living at Vinton, Iowa, for a period of five years, later coming to Lyon county in 1885.

She was united in marriage to J. H. Kelly at Rock Valley, Iowa, November 1887, settling on the farm of the groom one and one-half miles east of Alvord.

Mrs. Kelly was a patient sufferer for the past year from a complication of diseases. In September of last year she went to Rochester and consulted with the specialists of that institution, who failed to give the hoped for relief. During October and November her condition had so far improved that her recovery was anticipated, late in December her condition underwent a change and dropsical conditions developed, aggravated by other complications, the end coming peacefully at 1:45 p.m. Friday, January 26.

Besides her husband, she leaves to mourn, four children all residing at home, viz: Blanche Everett, Frank and Ralph and two sisters, Mrs. C. H. Barron, of Keystone, Iowa., and Mrs. F. R. Creglow, of Rock Rapids. Mrs. Kelly from early childhood was a devout and consistent Catholic, exemplifying by her life the higher attributes of spiritual life, a devoted wife and mother whose every heart throb was for the well being of those intrusted to her keeping that they might be alike -- an honor to their God and to their country.

To those that's left to mourn, the remembrances of that saintly life will be as a guiding hand from out the spirit land leading on in the way of rectitude to the life eternal.

[Alvord Register, January 1917]