Bridget (McDonald) Mulroney 1834-1909

MULRONEY, MCDONALD, FLYNN, CULLEN

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 8/14/2010 at 22:03:07

The Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
23 Jun 1909
Page 4

Mrs. P. Mulroney Is Dead.

Was a Resident of County for Nearly Fifty years.

Sunday morning our citizens were surprised and pained to learn of the rather sudden death of Mrs. Patrick Mulroney at her home in this city. She had been quite ill for a short time, but she became better and was, on Friday, considered past danger. Sunday morning she unexpectedly took a change for the worse and passed away in a few moments. The funeral was held Tuesday morning. It was very largely attended. Services were conducted at Assumption church at 10 o'clock. A requiem high mass was celebrated by Very Rev. J. J. Smith. The burial was in St. John's cemetery. The pall bearers were J. P. Downs, Wm. Shea, J. P. Crowley, Thos. Kirby, Patrick Duffy, and James Mullen.

Bridget McDonald was born in the city of Drogheda, in the county of Meath, Ireland, March 31, 1834. Hence she was 75 years of age. She came to America in 1850. She lived in New York City for eight years. October 28, 1858, she was married to Patrick Mulroney. They resided in that city until October, 1861, when they came to this country and settled on a farm in Nevada township. There they continued to reside until 1903 when they became residents of Emmetsburg. Twelve sons and daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mulroney. Six are living. They are John P. and Peter, of Mallard; Joseph, of this city; Mrs. T. J. Flynn, of West Bend township; Mrs. J. S. Cullen, of Whittemore; and Miss Maggie Mulroney, who is at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Mulroney came to this county nearly fifty years ago. Very few of the early pioneers had preceded them. They were neighborly, open-hearted, jovial people. For nearly fifty years their comfortable, happy home in Nevada was one of the best known in the county and was one that was frequently visited by friends from far and near and by strangers, for no one, no matter how humble or unknown, was ever denied a hearty meal or a night's lodging beneath the hospitable roof of Mr. and Mrs. Mulroney. Mrs. Mulroney was a home woman. Except when duty called her away, she was ever actively, prudently and solicitously attending to the affairs that concerned the welfare and happiness of her husband and her family. How well she succeeded in the discharge of these, her highest obligations, is fully reflected in the lives of the worthy and honored sons and daughters who have already taken their places among the leading citizens of our county. Last October, Mr. and Mrs. Mulroney observed the 50th anniversary of their marriage. They did so quietly, only the members of their own family being present. The fondest ties of the past half century have been broken. All that is earthly of the kind, devoted, loving wife and mother has been laid to rest in the church yard where so many of the early settlers of Nevada and neighboring townships sleep. Such is the end of earthly care and toil. Only those who hope for life eternal and who have implicit confidence in boundless reward for meritorious deeds can look upon death with confidence and with courage. Such a woman was Mrs. Mulroney. She never neglected her spiritual obligations. She was a lady of strong and abiding faith and she was faithful to its holy teachings. The sympathy of all is extended to the aged husband and the several sons and daughters in their deep sorrow.