Mary Ann (Millea) Shea 1853-1928

SHEA, MILLEA, DUNPHY

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 8/14/2010 at 23:18:04

The Palo Alto Tribune
Emmetsburg, Iowa
19 Apr 1928
Page 1

Another Is Called from Our Pioneers

Mrs. John Shea Answers Final Summons Friday; Had Been Ill for a Long Time.

We regret to chronicle the death of Mrs. John Shea of Nevada township which occurred Friday, April 13, 1928. She had been frail for some years and was ill for several months, though confined to her bed only a few days.

Funeral services were conducted by Very Rev. J. G. Murtagh at the Assumption church Monday morning and the remains laid to rest in St. John's cemetery.

Miss Mary Ann Millea was born at Elgin, Ill., in 1853. She came to this county with her parents in 1868. They located on a farm northwest of Emmetsburg. There she grew to womanhood.

She united in marriage with John Shea, April 30, 1873. They established their home in Nevada township where the family subsequently resided. Mr. Shea died several years ago.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shea, three sons and five daughters. The sons are W. J., Thomas E., and J. M. Shea of Wibaux, Mont. The daughters are the Misses Bridget, Margaret, Catherine and Josephine Shea of this place and Mrs. Mary Dunphy of Portland, Oregon. All survive their parents.

Mrs. Shea was a woman of fine character. She raised her family with the utmost care and tenderness. Her aim was to instill into their minds and hearts the ideas and tendencies that would assist them in shaping their characters and making them grow to true, pure, Christian men and women. Her home was a model of neatness, cleanliness and comfort. She was industrious and taught her children to be the same.

She was charitable in thought, word and deed. She was a good neighbor, a true friend and her home was one of the most hospitable that we have known. There was a warmth of welcome extended there that made one feel quite at home.

There was not the slightest trace of deceit or cunning in the nature of Mrs. Shea. She was mild, quiet, kind in manner, a true, noble, Christian woman and a devout Catholic. She was over 75 years of age and the entire path of her life was marked with noble deeds which will make up for her a great reward as she accounts to her Master for her stewardship.

She will be missed from the family circle. The love and honor of her children for her will never die, but will cause them to cherish her memory as the years go by.

She is survived also by three brothers, Jas. II, and David Millea of this place and Thos. W. Millea of Ft. Dodge and three sisters, Mrs. James E. Kane and Mrs. Josie Conway of this place and Mrs. M. J. Miller of Chicago. To them all the Tribune extends sincere sympathy.

The Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
19 Apr 1928
Page 5

Lived in County For Sixty Years

Mrs. John Shea, Who Passed Away Friday, Was Seriously Ill Only Short Time.

Mrs. John Shea passed away at her home in Nevada township last Friday. She had been ailing for several months, although she was confined to her room only two days previous to her death. The funeral was held Saturday morning at 9:30. Services were conducted at the Assumption church, Very Rev. J. G. Murtagh officiating. The burial was in St. John's cemetery. Though weather conditions were anything but favorable, there was a large attendance of relatives, old neighbors and friends.

Mary Anna Millea was born at Elgin, Illinois, in April, 1853. She was 75 years of age. She moved with her parents to this county in 1868. They located on a farm northwest of Emmetsburg. April 30, 1873, she was united in marriage at this place to Mr. John Shea. Mr. and Mrs. Shea subsequently made their home in this vicinity. Mr. Shea died a number of years ago. She leaves to mourn her death five daughters and three sons. The daughters are Misses Margaret, Catherine, Josephine and Bridget, all of Emmetsburg, and Mrs. Mary Dunphy of Portland, Oregon. The sons are W. J. of Emmetsburg, J. M. of Wibaux, Montana, and Thos. E. of Spokane, Washington. Three brothers and three sisters also survive. They are David and J. H. Millea of Emmetsburg, T. W. of Fort Dodge, Mrs. J. E. Kane and Mrs. Josie Conway, both of this place, and Mrs. M. J. Miller of Chicago.

Mrs. Shea from early girlhood was a highly honored resident of our county. Her husband was also for perhaps sixty years or more given front rank among the sterling farmer citizens of our community. He served in the Union forces during the greater part of the Civil war and he made an enviable record. Mrs. Shea was a very sincere woman. She was the mother of a splendid family of young men and ladies and she naturally felt proud of their creditable standing among the young people with whom they associated. They were very devoted to their parents and to their church and they were at all times anxious for community betterment. Mrs. Shea was a warm hearted, thoughtful, helpful neighbor and friend. her loyalty to those whom she esteemed was never questioned. Providence favored her with cheerfulness, health and strength and with a creditable share of the world's goods. Many throughout the county who knew her so long and so intimately will learn with profound sorrow of her death. The Democrat extends sincere sympathy to the surviving members of her family.