Fahey, Bridget (Mrs. Edward), 1831-1898

FAHEY, OMALLEY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/8/2014 at 05:59:41

Sad indeed. Mrs. Fahey passed away last night. She had been suffering from a gradual stoppage of the bowels, for the relief of which there came to be no other hope than an operation. Drs. Cram and Brock, of Sheldon, and Dr. Huizenga performed the same yesterday afternoon but even the last hope failed. It is too late to get an obituary notice of length in this issue so we will wait till next week. The funeral will be held Sunday from the Catholic church.

Source: Sioux County Bee and Rock Valley Register, February 25, 1898.

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From the Alton Democrat, March 5, 1898: Rock Valley Items:
Mrs. Ed Fahey was buried Sunday from the Catholic church at this place. She leaves a husband, four sons and two daughters to mourn her death.

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Her formal obituary, from the Sioux County Bee and Rock Valley Register, March 18, 1898, is almost totally uninformative, but an interesting period piece:

Obituary.
Carried over from last week.

On Sunday the funeral of Mrs. Fahey took place from the Catholic church, Rev. Father Phelen having charge of the ceremonies. In his impressive address amongst other things he admonished his hearers to be warned by the presence of death, and to prepare worthy, while yet time and means were at their disposal, for that true fate that awates[sic] all mortals. He quoted many instances to illustrate those beautiful words of the wisest and richest of men, wherein he declares that all is vanity and vexation of spirit except to serve God.

Then in very affecting words the priest alluded to her blameless life, Christian career and edifying death. During her illness the intense pain attendant on her disease manifested her to be a lady of Christian fortitude. She had not to repair at death the errors of an illspent life. She did not leave her conversion till death, as is usual with mere worldlings, but squared her life to prepare for the inevitable. No one could quote her as the author of tales hurtful to her neighbor, and the unusual sympathy manifested showed how her acquaintance regret her departure from their midst. Such a Christian soul dying fortified with the sacred rites of the church must necessarily find happiness beyond the tomb.

In her demise Mrs. Fahey mourns a faithful loving wife; her sons and daughters, an amiable virtuous mother, St. Mary's, a devoted member and Rock Valley a respectable lady.

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From the Sioux County Cemetery Index: Fahey, Bridget (O'Malley) died 25 Feb 1898 age 65 yrs ss Edward, St. Mary's Cem Rock Valley. Husband Edward died 20 Mar 1920. His obit did not carry much info on his wife either.

Researcher Wilma Vande Berg found on the site Ancestry.com: Edward Fahey, born Nov 1830 Ireland, arrived in U.S. 1867, lived in Boyer Valley Sac Co. in 1885. He was back in Rock Valley in 1910 and in Sioux City in 1920. Children listed in his obit were - George, Mat, Edward, Mrs. John McGilan, Mrs. Ed Lovely.