The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-12-05
OBITUARY.

Rafferty, has cast pail of sorrow over
the entire community. 1t is hard to
realize that she who was with us IN the
health and bloom of vigorous woman
hood, in one short week, has been
called to her eternal home.
Mrs. Rafferty's little daughters,
Kathryn and Agnes, had been sick and
on Saturday night, Nov. 9th, Kathryn
was suddenly taken worse and the
mother in her anxiety for and devotion
to her children, neglected herself and
on the following Tuesday evening she
was taken with a congestive chill,
which soon developed into that dread
disease-typhoid pneumonia.
Physicians were called and loving
relatives and friends were untiring in
their efforts to alleviate her sufferings
and pro1ong the life so precious to
them.
It was infinitely sad to stand by her
bedside and watch her strong spirit
battling so brave1y with the ''grim
monster" and knowathat no human
power could keep her with us. Many
were the hearts that united with her
in praying fervently that she might
be spared to her husband and little
ones; and to her aged mother and
father to whom she was such COM
fort and help; but God knoweth best.
On the seventh day peritonitis set in
and she grew worse rapidly until We'd
nesday, Nov. Goth, when, as she lay
surrounded by heartbroken relatives
and weeping friends, the rays of the
setting sun shone through the win
dows of her pleasant home and rested
on her face, so sweet and beautiful in
life-so calm and peaceful in death.
The deceased was the daughter of
John and Frances Kerwin and the sis
ter of Charles and of ex-County Super
intendent J. J. Kerwin, all of Silver
Lake, Wis. She was born and raised
in the town of Salem and was well
known throughout Kenosha county,
having been for number of years one
of it's brightest and foremost teachers.
Five years ago Fannie Kerwin was
united in marriage to James Henry
Rafferty,, of Brighton, where she has
since resided. Her wedding dress of
white satin was her shroud and Rev.
Fir. Schefen, of New Munster, who
officiated at her marriage, delivered
her funeral sermon, in which he paid a
beautiful tribute to her life and char
acter.
Mrs. Rafferty, was a sincere and con-
sistent christian, a faithful and de-
voted wife and mother and a kind and
affectionate daughter and sister. Her
pastor visited her during her sickness
and administered to her the last sacra
ments of the church. Throughout her
illness, she manifested that patience
and fortitude which were so character |
istic of her: "B1essed are the dead
who die in the Lord.'
By her sweet face and 1ovab1e dispO-
sition Mrs. Rafferty, had endeared her
self to all who knew her. She never
grew weary of helping others and no
sacrifice was too great to make for
those she loved. She was ever bright
and cheerful, thoughtful and loyal to
her friends-enemies she had none.
The funeral services were held on
Saturday. After a brief prayer SER
vice at her home line of one hundred
and fifty carriages followed her re-
mains to Brighton Catholic church,
where a requiem high mass, sad but
beautiful, was celebrated by Rev. FIR.
Freimann, after which she was laid to
rest not far from the graves of two
brothers and two sisters who had been
called before.
"And if sometimes commingled with life's
wine
We find the wormwood and rebel and shrink, I
Be sure wiser hand than yours or mine
Pours out this potion for our life to drink.
And if the friend we love is lying low,
Where human kisses cannot reach her face, |
Oh, do not blame the loving father so,
But wear your sorrow with obedient grace.
And you shall shortly know that heightened
breath
Is not the sweetest gift God sends his friend, !
And sometimes the sable pail of death
Conceals the fairest boon his love can send.
If we could push afar the gates Of life,
And stand within and all Gods working see, |
We could interpret all this doubt and strife
And for each mystery find key.
But not today. Then be content poor heart:
God 8 plans like lilies pure and white unfold
We must not tear the close shut leaves apart;
Time will reveal the calyxes of gold,
And if, through patient toll we reach the land ;
Where tired feet, with sandals lost may rest
When we shall clearly see and understand,
think we all will say, God knew the BEST "