Connecticut western news., 1900-02-01
MRS. IRENE JACKSON CHURCH.

On Friday afternoon, little after one o'clock, on the 18th day of January, Mrs Irene Church died in New York city. This announcement arriving here few hours later. was great surprise to Mrs Church's many friends, since during her last visit in Canaan, iu October, she apparently was enjoying the very best of health. Some time since she was attacked by Ia grippe, from which she never completely rallied, growing weaker and weaker until finally every spark of vitality was exhausted and she entered upon her rest.
 Irene Jackson Wheeler (this being her maiden name) was born in Sails bury, Conn Fl years ago. and was the daughter of Philauder and Irene Jack son Wheeler. For number of years she lived at Lakeville. h early life she was married to Ensign Church, Esq, and they cane to Canaan and | remained here till Mir Church died in 1868 at the age of 43. The following year Mrs Church broke up house keep ing and since then has devoted a good deal of her time to travelling. having crossed the ocean frequently and visited Europe and Asia, collecting some rare treasures and enriching her mind with a history such as no books afford and in addition was tr her, source of the highest enjoyment. Although travel ing we'll nigh over the whole world, to her there was DO other plac- quite as near as Canaan and frequently she spoke of some day making it her home again. Mrs Church was greatly attach ed to our little town and always had a kind word for its people For the last thirty six years she quite frequently visited here and all those whose good fortune it was to know her, both old and young, were only too glad to claim her as one of our towpspeople apprec- iating her beautiful sterling character which continuously was anifesting itself in ssme token of kindness some- | where.
 Of course, Mrs Church was Chris tisn; not by profession only, but by practice as we'll For upwards of forty years she was a member of Christ Epis- copal Church of Canaan and during all that time she has been one of it's most generous supporters and most loyal friends. When the rectory wa built, when the organ was bought and when the church was remodeled several years since, Mrs Church every time gave lib. orally. Among other things she gave to the church are the beautiful red altar hangings, of which there are per Asps none finer or more expensive in this diocese. The idea that nothing is too beautiful and nothing to costly to give to God, she demonstrated more than once in giving to the church, which always was the very best that money could buy. --
 On Monday. Jan 29th, after short service at the house Of MT Joseph ". Peet, where the remains had been brought, the funeral service was held in Christ church, conducted by the rector, the Rev NJ. H Mill, assisted by the choir Immediately afterward the interment took place in the Lower cemetery alongside of her husband who died thirty eight years ago. The bear. CTS were Messrs J. W. Peet, his sor Geo. c. Peet of Bridgeport. Geo. s Fuller and Samuel A. Eddy.
 The near relatives of Mrs Church are her two brothers Daniel Philandei Wheeler, Washington Hollow. N. Y and John Smith Wheeler of Waterbury Conn and two nieces. Mrs Joseph W Peet of this place and Mrs Irene Bost wick of Van Deusenville, Mass.