Margaret Ann (Donaghy) Ralston (1853-1929)

DONAGHY, RALSTON, WAGGONER

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Margaret Ann Donaghy was born at Inverness, Province of Quebec, Canada, on December 28, 1853, where she spent her early life. There, on April 15, 1879, she was united in marriage to John E. Ralston.

In the spring of 1882 in response to the desire for greater opportunity, she with her husband and two small children came to Cherokee county, Iowa. They located on a farm five miles south and one mile west of Paullina. A few years later, they moved to O'Brien county, to a farm north of Paullina. Here they remained until the spring of 1893, when they again moved to another farm near Primghar. They continued to reside there until the spring of 1909 when they retired from the farm and came to Paullina. They have lived here continuously for 20 years.

She was the mother of four children: Mrs. Tressa L. Waggoner, of Peoria, Illinois, Fred W. Ralston of Highmore, South Dakota, Edward J. Ralston, of Waterloo, Iowa, and Weston D. Ralston of Mason City Iowa, who, in addition to her husband, are left to mourn her loss, and who were all present when she passed away.

When but a girl, she was confirmed in the Church of England, and was an active church member and worker until the time of her passing. She was sincerely interested in the activities of the Presbyterian church of Paullina, in which she held her final church membership. In addition to this, she was an active member of the Ladies Aid and Women's Home Missionary Societies, all of which organizations will miss her.

Hers was a life of service and devotion to her family and friends. No task was too difficult or sacrifice too great for those she loved. In addition to being missed by her husband and children, she will be missed by the community in which she lived and which she loved.

Paullina (Iowa) Times, 24 Apr 1929, p8