The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-03
MRS. MARY j. o'CoNNoR.
Solemn Requiem Services at st. Mary's
Cathedral,


Cathedral.
"ThOrns for the living, flowers for the dead.'
Could The good lady who lay smiling in death
have seen the mournful assemblage and all The
marks of tender reverence paid her yesterday
morning in the mansion on Van Ness avenue,
she would know the full beauty and truth of the
adage, for there were brimming eyes and heavy
hearts around the bier, and crowds OF friends
thrOnged the stately silent rooms.
The avenue outside was filled with carriages,
and the approach TO Mrs. OConnor's residence
crowded with mourners; and also many humble
persons WHO had double reasons for their s0r-
row-they had lost good friend and would
miss her kindly presence aud liberal bounty.
The funeral services began there, and at 10
O'clock the remains were borne 10 the hearse,
and the cortege slowly proceeded TO ST. Mays
employees OF 0ConnOr, Moffatt & Co. The
ployes marched on foot, and were led by Ii.
Croker and W. j. Armstrong.
The floral offerings, which were chaste and
rare were taken direct 10 The cemetery. There
was an immense hour-elass of flowers from the
firms employees. The stand was OF pink roses
and ev=rgreens and the sands represented by
daisies A large floral uru OF similar flowers was
also sent by the employees. The brother and sis
ter OF the deceased had sent pillow OF white
roses with Sister worked IN yioets and
pansies upon it, Mr.. and Mrs. j. ID. Power
placed large floral pillow at the foot OF the
coffin, and by the Baskets side was. In roses and
white flowers, "Gate Ajar'' Other pieces
were: harp. horseshoe, pillar and.a large
shield, showing IN the center heart made Of
panSles.
BUSINESS SUSPENDED.
While the funeral passed along the various
streets business in the dry-goods houses was
temporarily suspended. and the large marts were
closed, While their flags hoated at half-mast.
Long before The cOTtege arrived at the cathe
dral The interior WAS densely crowded IN all
places except where the pews were reserved for
The mGurners, near the catafaique. As The
mouTneIs walked up the center AISLE the church
bell Iolled sOemnly. The pall-OearerS as fol-
lows led the procession: >. j. OBrlen. Lew
Strauss, NJ. w. Siackpoe, A. IL. LoughbOrOugh,
Frank j. Sullivan, j. w. Whiting, ID. w. Bre-
Teton. James Kennedy, James Sanderson, e. j.
Byrne. NJ. ODay and L. T. Mccarthy.
Then followed The remains, borne by eight
employees of O'Connor, Motiatti& Co. The mourn
brother Of the deceased, supporting Miss Cos.
tello his sister. j. ID. Power aud vile, Mrs. Rob-
ert Shea and family and I. Il. Bannerman ended
the party, followed BY the employees, who took
The seats reserved for them.
The casket was i heavy metallic one, draped
in black SILK with extension handles. A plain
silver plate bore The name OF Mary j. OCounor.
HE remains lay III White satin with the silyery
gray hair brushed back from the brow as in life,
and the face was all peace and contentment in
every feature. When laid Oh the receptacle in
front Ol the main altar, the mOuInfu ST. aims OF
"Lyra Requiem Soemnis" filled The church, and
then the sacred chant 10 the dead WAS begun by
the choir.
THE SOLEMN SERVICE.
Wilc0Xs solemn requiem was sung with grand
effect by Tie following singers under ttas jiirec
n n1c oil Professor A. {. E.iiiYiGG' Miss Clara A.
Z.
Mss " Yin SiockIAIs. Miss }. Sullivan, Miss Me
% IGu,,ektOnJ Marrack. Mrs. Ernestne Gray. Mrs.
SaA. WaShburn. Mrs. NJ. Sllyerla ID. W. Z. Mes
field, j. Z. Bradley, W. 5. EdminSIer aud w. e.
GIbUon
A glow Of candles burning filled The sanctuary
where Fathers MchinnOn, McNally, Crowley,
Lynch, Cummings, Montgomery, Foley anu COttle
The requiem was celebrated by Rev j. J. Nc
Cue, assisted by Rev. William b. Kirby as dea-
con, Rev. Father AttenecnueS as suOdeacon
aud Rev. Z. Blake master Of ceremonies. His
Grace Archbishop Riordan pronounced the ben
edlction.
VeIy Rev. }. j. P,endergast, V. e., preached
the sermon. III which lie paid an eloquent triD-
ute TO the dead lady.
THE SERMON.
1t is solemn thought said he THAT the
most momentous anu most decisive event affect
ing human life Is absolutely beyond contIol.
That is, Death. II you were 10 be assured on uu-
questioned authority that some event was i'm
bending which would take from you half your
years OF life you would live In constant ex-
pectatlon of such an event. But death lakes
away your life, and not for few years, but for
ever. The moment OF death is decisive. Quicker
than lightning flash the soul is judged and
passes into eternity, and that destiny no power
can change. The world abOundS with men who
have erred in following their own brains reason
ing, but no one has ever been found tc asseTt-so
preposIerous 10 declare-Ihat salvation is given
according TO the amount OF intelligence pos
ses>ed.
Every one knows death is Inevitable, but what
we do not always consider Is that the time and
have died among strangers VINO had hoped to die
among friends. Every river and the ocedn-bed
contains the remains OF those who thought 10
die on land. 1t Is beyond our power TO know the
time and manner and place, but there Is an as
pect in which death Is under our cOntrOl-iI Is
always In our power 10 prepare our souls TO meet
death when II comes. 1t Is not when we come to
die thai we ought 10 prepare for death, though
even then repentance Is possible but the time OF
preparation Is during the day OF life. Hence The
Holy Church teaches US 10 pray not against a
sudden death, but 10 be prepared for II when
II comes
GOOD WOMAN
'sIn this case, the lady who Is dead was an ex-
emplary woman. Sue prepared for death.
know OF the awful calamity that came as ter
Tbe visitation, but 1t is not for that we here.
We are here to pray for the dead. Our primary
object and essential purpose Ill coming here IS
10 pray for the dead TO Him who died on the
cross for the redemption OF mankind. Sec
TO the mourners. How can we offer our
sympathles? BY speaking of her virtues?
No; she was woman OF unostentatious
piety and she would not have wished II. To
descant upon the virtues Of leader and speak
Of bis glOies as sure to lead him 10 heayen-that
is pagaulsm. This is not case for human COLI
ISOLATION. lie real source OF consolation Is not
the virtue OF the departed, but the realization OF
the mercy and goodness OF the Redeemer TO look
forward TO the day when you shall meet again
not In this suffering and sinful world but iu the
kingdom prepared for US. AS Christ died and
rose again, so shalt all rise IN the ages"
AL the conclusion OF The ceremonies the body
was escorted 10 Calvary Cemetery by long line
OF carriages. Father McCue OBLIGATED at the
grave, and when Mrs. O'Connor had been laid
beside her husband the sad gathering quietly
dispersed.