The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-10
Ending of Long Career of
Miss Ella Brings Sor-
row to Many.
YEARS SPENT
IN HOSPITAL WARDS
Life Dedicated TO Suffering HUI
mainly Passed IN Providence
Institution

No death has ever occurred at Provi-
dence Hospital that caused more uni
versaI sadness than that of Miss Ella
Sheehan, generally known 90 the sis
tiers, nurses, and ali Of those VINO have
received treatment at the hospital for
the last quarter Of q century, as plain
Miss Ella There are not a few. how
ever, who referred to her as a good
Samaritan. and there are some who
have declared she was an angel IN dis
guise-
She was one woman in Washington.
even If there are no others, who is
known in every section Of the CITY
The poor, the rich, and those in mod
crate means, all hive heard Esr words
Of kindness and felt her sympathetfc
touch in the time Of illness. Nothing
was too much trouble for Miss Ella
no one was too pOverty-stricken for her
to soothe, and none too wealthy for
her 10 speak words OF kindness to
But today her voice is stIIed in
death Every one connected with the
Providence Hospital felt that he has
loSJ q personal friend And probably
lnty nave, Tor every one who "a ne an
touch with this woman who rysve mir
ty-JWc years Of her life nursing the
SICK ana comforting the Door loved
her; She was found dead in bed yes
lsIcay morning, and the physicians say
her death was caused by apoplexy.
Strange Life Story.
Her life has been one Of sacrifice for
others She gave up bright prospects. a
nome OF her own, and the society and
gayety which other girls so much enjoy.
20 WoTk IN the charity ward Of the hos
pltaI, because she felt that she owed
that duty to God Her life story Is q
strange One-that Of a Care-free Irish
glrl SlVlng up paying position and
iedFlhS q nome tnaJ knew nothing but
sunshine for her. 10 spend her davs re-
lieNlng the suffering Of others
a little more than thirtv-tvvo years
ago she entered the hospital where she
found her life work and which after
NdIQ became her home. almost blinded
from the ink used IN the Government
printing Office She had been euDlnveH
there, and in using a towel had acct
o le5I-l wiped ink into her eyes The
pain was something terrific. and often
N later years IN describing how she
SuneTed on that occasion. said that she
learned from her pain thar others need
suffering
She told her brother. John p. Sheehan.
OF 1soS Park road northwest, at that
time, that If God would relieve her sI1f-
fering and restore her sight, she would
spend the remainder OF her life in His
work About a month later her sight
v as restored and she kept her promise.
Served Thirty-Two Years.
For thirty-twO years she was on duty
at the hospital, and during that tine
was Eever too tired to sOothe the pain
OF q restless patient or to relieve n
WORKOUT nurse OF physician, and up to
the last day OF her life her smile was
Just as bright as II was in her youth
You never seem 10 grow old. Miss
Ella one Of the visitors TO the hospital
said 10 her not many weeks ago
zone can't grow old IN Gods work. -
she replied
Besides the great number OF patients
who have been benefited BY her pres
enCe at the hospital. she has watched
the rise from impatient, inexperienced
iuternes, OF many who ere now proT1i-
nent physicians and surgeons IN this
and other cities And many Of these
very physicians owe 10 her the over
coming Of numerous little tribUlarions-
And while she kept a wRtchfUl eve on