Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1909-06-09
In Remembrance Mrs. Mary Sweeney

| MARY hil0y was DOTH III hungarian,
Waterford County, Ireland. August
20. 1889. She was married to Anthony
Sweeney July 6, 1859, at Rondout,
New York. They came to live at
Lancaster Wisconsin. in the year
1865. and resided here until both now
are numbered with the vast majority,
the husband preceding to that far
beyond March 20, 1882 .
Twelve children were born to this
union, two being transferred in
infancy to the better land: Thomas
the first born died October %, 1885.
"Sleep, dear mother while above thee
| Flows the sad and silent tear.
| Oft alone our fond hearts languiSh
VIII lie we weep and sojourn here
With the remaining children
namely, Frances (Mrs. L. W. Loy)
and Mary (Mrs. c. H. smith) of
Animation Nellie (Mrs. F. A. Allen)
of Livingston; Lollie Mrs. East
man J Misses Catherine and Julia and
James of Lancaster; R j., of Darl
ington and Aleck A, of Dodgeville
three mourn her two brothers Patrick
and Edward of Rapid City, S.. Dakota.
The we'll -known citizen of Beetown,
I. K. Patterson was uncle of Mrs.
Sweeney.
Thus we trace the outline of
another closed life. Another weary
mother has laid down her burdens.
Her labors are ended her patient
hands folded The heart so warm
and true is pulseless. But there are
intervening years. leaves folded
down, of which no stranger hand can
write a history. The mother of
twelve children and for many years
widow, how would those years be but
years of toll and struggled That her
daily labors were bravely performed,
that as worker, neighbor, friend,
mother, citizen, she was worthy,
many OF Lancaster's older and best
citizens bear respectful testimony.
Those who have known Mrs.
Sweeney for two score of years. tell
US that her honesty was unGoubted,
her courage unbounded, and her faith
in the dawning of brighter, better
day unfaltering. She was jovial.
large-hearted. kind. In adversely
and sorrow, when burdens far too
heavy for woman shoulders. fell to
her lot, she did the best she could and
bravely smil1ngly made of each days
labors cheerful reckoning. obscuring
the past in lively participation of
the present with it's possibilities, its
reliefs and its blessings
For year after year with glad content
| In and out of our home she went
In and out.
Ever for US the skies were clear.
Her heart carried the care and fear
The care and doubt
Our hands held with careless hold
| All that she won of comfort and gold.
In tOli and pain;
| Oh. dear hands that our burdens bore,
Hands that shall toll for US no more
Never again."
Mrs. Sweeney, in her declining
years, had the loving, tender care of
children who were grateful, children
who remembered her courageous care
of them. her brave endurance for
them. Her daughter, Lollie, had
| long been her constant companion and
care-taker. And SO her last years
were made her easiest years. Her
death was caused by a stubborn liver
trouble and her fatal sickness ex-
tended over four months Through
all the long weeks of suffering and
pain. her courage never faltered, her
patience never waneG. Fortified by
the sacraments of her faith, surround
ed by all her surviving children, her
eyes gazed upon their last sunset, and
the peace of the departing Sabbath
day fell upon her and she sank into
the final sleep without a struggle.
"Where now. I wonder is thy spirits place
What heavenly light now shines on thy
What glorious sights now meet my wander
What friends surround thee with their
Oh, my mother. In the long years to come,
Thou neer shalt meet me in my childhood
home.
Association brings it's bitter pain,
| l feel but this We cannot again,
In vain reach and call; from soundless-
shore
No answer comes. but silent-Never more.
Nav nevermore, till worn and temp esttoSSed,
My bark is wrecked I'll meet my loved and
lost
On Tuesday after demise, high
mass was said by Father Schleicher
for the repose of her soul, and from
the Catholic church of Lancaster the
beloved remains were conveyed to the
cemetery west of the city and there
laid TO rest. 3. D. S.
For the manifold kindness received
in the care of our dear mother
through the tedious weeks of her long
suffering, for the sympathy shown