Happy Durkin Hester 1824-1899

HESTER, DURKIN, NALLY, LUMMERY, RYAN

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 9/23/2006 at 16:32:59

From the Emmetsburg Democrat, Aug 30, 1899:

Mrs. Hester, Sr., Dead

Yesterday morning Mrs. Nappy [Happy] Hester, mother of Michael and P.J. Hester, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James Nally. She had been sick about a week. Her death was largely the result of old age, as she was in her 75th year. The funeral takes place to-morrow. The procession will leave Mr. Nally's at 8:30 and will arrive at the Church of the Assumption at 10:30. The services will be conducted by Father Costello. The interment will be in St. John's cemetery.

Nappy [Happy] Durkin was born at Louisburg, the county of Mayo, Ireland in 1824. She grew to womanhood in her native country whre she was married in 1844 to Mr. Hester. They left Ireland in 1851 and came to Quebec. Later they moved to Ogdensburg, N.Y., and subsequently to Winchester, Ontario. About thirty-five years ago they moved to Iowa and settled near Greene, Butler county. Ther her husband died fifteen years ago. The following year she came to Emmetsburg and continued to reside here until last spring when she went to Emmetsburg township to live with her son and daughters. The surviving members of the family consist of four sons-Michael, P.J., John and William-and three daughters-Mrs. George Lummery, Mrs. Edward Ryan and Mrs. James Nally. All are widely and favorably known and rank among the most thrifty and prosperous people of this community.

The deceased was a good, quiet Christian woman. Her aim was to lead an exemplary life and to devote herself to the domestic and religious obligations of true womanhood. Though those who, in their earlier years knew her as the patient, kind and deeply solicitous mother, have long since grown to maturity and have drifted out into the world of care and responsibility, they ever remembered her affectionately and did everything possible to add cheer and comfort to her declining years. The memory of her long and useful career and he many sacrifices will be long preserved by them as a priceless heritage.