The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-08-12
Miss Mary KaIIav.

CHuTCu Oh MOUudy morning announced
to the good people of Bennington that
the last solemn offices of the Catholic
church were about to be performed over
the remains of one of her beloved chill
dren. That the angel of death had again
entered the home of one of our most
respected citizens and deprived an
estimable family of AN affectionate
daughter and kind and loving sister.
The death of Miss Mary Kelley, which
took place Saturday morning, caused a
deep and heartfelt sorrow to all who
knew her. Although she had been in
frail health for the past two years, her
friends hoped and prayed that she might
become strong again, but God in his
infinite mercy willed 1T otherwise. She
was beautiful character and led life
of piety and zeal for the glory of God
and devotion and love for her family,
and in her, her friends ever found a
ready sympathizer, willing to share
their joys or console them in sorrows,
and always met them with smile and
pleasant word From her childhood she
was remarkable for her ardent piety,
which seemsd to grow with her years.
She has left beautiful example which
our young people would do we'll to profit
by. She became a member of the
Sodality when about 10 years old, and
that society can best testify to her
fidelity in that they have lost a member
whose place it will be hard to fill. She
was also an active member of the Sun
day school, and was teacher for some
years. Her death was like her life, calm,
peaceful and holy. During her illness,
which she bore with heroic patience, she
made every preparation, offering her
young life each day to her Heavenly
Father, yearning to go to him, yet
anxious to linger little longer to console
the loved ones who were so dear to her
and who lavished on her every care and
attention during life, and who with
grief stricken and sorrowful hearts sur
rounded her bed as her pure spirit
winged its flight and went forth to re-
ceive the kind welcome of her dear and
loving Saviour. Her remains were viewed
by many friends as she lay il beauti-
full white robe with the white veil and
medal of the Immaculate Virgin, whose
child she is in life and in death. Her
casket was white embossed plush, which
was covered with flowers and ribbon
scarfs and banneretts inscribed with
hymns and words which she loved to
hear in life. These were the offerings
of many dear friends. Her funeral took
place on Monday morning from her late
home in Bennington Centre. The men,
bers of the Sodality attended as an escort
and preceded the casket which was borne
by twelve young men, all of whom were
former schoolmates. Then followed the
bereaved family accompanied by many
relatives and large concOurse of friends.
The bereaved family have the sympathy
of the whole community in their deep
affliction, losing two beautiful daughters
within fourteen months of each other
But take courage poor sorrowful hearts
and look beyond the sky where your
beloved daughters are united, and where
they await to welcome you. There is
another loved one whom we have not
mentioned. 1t is the absent sister
Fanny, who some years ago sundered
the ties of home and kindred and crossed
the broad Atlantic at the Masters call
poor among the heath covered hills of
Scotland. Oh! how the hearts of the
loved ones must have yearned to clasp
her to their bosoms and mingle their
tears while gazing on the face of their
beloved dead. But though the ocean
rolled between, yet those poor stricken
hearts were united in the Sacred Heart
of Jesus, who will be their consolation
and strength. After the High Mass of
the choir rendered the beautiful
hymn, Nearer my God to- Thee" which
was a great favorite of the departed and
those who had often heard her sing the
beautiful words could not restrain their
grief. After the Office for the dead, her
were placed beside the little
little sister Alice, whom she deeply
so short time ago. "May her
soul rest in peace"
Mother of God, AM she loved Thee well
And her life. perfumed with thine,
Brought sweetness and trust to many heart,
Brought feryor and faith to mine.
She has gone from sorrows that vex our days,
Where the soul may hope for peace,
To rest secure in Thy folding arms.
Where trials and pains must cease
But still, she loves u.s. her friends, and Thine
For Oft on our Bonded knee
We pledged our faith, and our hearts remain
Unchanged in its love for Thee,