Catharine Irene "Rena" Sullivan (1896 - 1919)

SULLIVAN, CISKEY, CISKA, KNOWLES, CULLINAN, CULLEN, MCCORMICK, SHEEHAN, SHEHAN, DONAHOE, DONAHUE, WOLF, FLAHIVE, MCENIRY, LOGAN, CLARK, LUMLEY, JOSELYN, DUGGAN, MCGINN, DOYLE, GRADY

Posted By: DJ Scieszinski
Date: 6/19/2016 at 18:02:17

THE MONROE COUNTY NEWS
Thursday, September 11, 1919

DEATH OF IRENE SULLIVAN

Catherine Irene, “Rena” as she was lovingly called by those who knew her was the youngest daughter of Mrs. J. K. Knowles and was born in Melrose, June 8, 1896, and died at her home Friday morning, August 22, 1919.

When it became known some few days ago that Rena was about to die many a heartfelt prayer was offered for her recovery and at times she seemed to grow better but the Angel of Death summoned her when least expected.

The sadness expressed by those who viewed the remains was more than that which follows in the wake of position or home rules. It was that which came from the heart in the loss of a devoted daughter, sister and true friend. Hers was a brief life, but it was filled with happiness and was made beautiful by the blessing and good cheer that she carried with her where so ever she went.

She had a temperament of buoyancy and her cheery greeting will long be remembered by those who knew her. She was always thoughtful for the comfort and welfare of others; it is little wonder that she was loved by all. This spirit of helpfulness was especially shown to her devoted mother and relatives and was a beautiful chapter in the volume of a beautiful life. As one looked upon the form of Rena, so peacefully sleeping in her snow white casket flanked with rich floral offerings and with an expression of purity upon her angelic face and knowing that her spirit had winged its flight to realms eternal there to dwell forever with God's angels, the thought came - What a sublime blessing and privilege to be called from this vale of sorrow and tears in the springtime of youth. Her stay on earth was brief, but if life is best measured by the influence it has on the lives of others, then indeed she has lived long and well.

Rena, as we knew her is no more, her life has gone out in peace, into the land of sad, sweet memories and again has fondest hopes withered like leaves in the chilly blast of November. Tenders sympathy goes out to the bereaved ones who bear their affliction with christian fortitude, believing that God in His divine wisdom, and mercy doeth all things for the best and that “His will, not ours, be done.”

The funeral cottage proceeded from the home here Saturday morning, Requiem High Mass and services were held at St. Patrick church. The comments of Rev. W. J. McCormick on her past life was certainly all that any one could hope to have voiced in his or her favor. She is survived by her mother, brothers M.T. Ciska, John L.. Frank and Joseph Sullivan and sisters Mrs. D. M. Sheehan, Mrs. M. R. Donahoe, Mrs. J. B. Wolf and Mrs. Edward Flahive.

The honorary pall bearers were the Misses Hanna McEniry, Josephine Logan, Helen Clark, Floy Lumley, Neva Joselyn and Irene Duggan; the pall bearers were her cousins, John McGinn, Adrian Doyle, James Grady, Martin, Pierce and William Flahive.

CARD OF THANKS

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many kind friends ands neighbors who assisted during the death and burial of our dear Catharine Irene. The many expressions of sympathy and the beautiful floral offerings.

Mrs. J. K. Knowles
Brothers and sisters.

NOTE: Mother Catherine (Cullen / Cullinan) (1860 - 1941) was married to Michael Ciskey (1848 - 1885), Michael Denis Sullivan (1833 - 1907) and James K. Knowles (1828 - 1922)

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