Saturday, August 20, 2011

Sunday's Obituary - Mary A. Quirk nee Lee

Photo shows Mary's gravesite shortly after the funeral/before the headstone in St. Gabriel's cemetery, Hazleton, PA

Mary A. Quirk nee Lee was my great-great grandmother.  She was born in November 1846 in Ireland.  I don't have an exact location for her, but it is most likely in County Donegal.  County Donegal was listed on her father's death certificate (although not on hers).  I am making the assumption for now that they didn't move much and that she was likewise born in Donegal.  Unfortunately, it's one of the largest counties in Ireland and I don't have any specific location in the county yet.  Still much to verify or disprove!

She emigrated to the United States in 1850 (still looking for her on the passenger lists) and was married to William Quirk on September, 17 1868 in Saint Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church, Hazleton, PA.  The best I can make out (see earlier post) they had at least 9 children.  Mary died on September 1, 1913 and is buried in Saint Gabriel's cemetery next to her husband, William, her daughter Ella and her mother and father (Edward and Susan Lee nee Phillips).

I wish I knew more about her.  I'm fairly certain I have a picture or two of her in my photo album of unknown people.  I can even venture some good guesses as to which person she is, but since none were labeled, they are just guesses.

Today's Sunday's Obituary is in honor of Mary:

"Died 

QUIRK - In Jeanesville, Monday September 1, Mary A., wife of the late William Quirk.  Funeral on Thursday morning at 9 o'clock from the family residence.  Requiem High Mass at 10 o'clock in st. Gabriel's church, Hazleton.  Interment in St. Gabriels' cemetery.  Cortege by trolley car.  D. Crosby, funeral director."







"The Death Roll 

Mrs. Mary Quirk 

After being ill for the past two weeks, Mrs. Mary Quirk, one of Jeanesville's most esteemed residents, passed away at her home in that town at 1:30 o'clock this morning.  The end came peacefully at the time stated above, with the deceased surrounded by the members of her family.  Mrs. Quirk's pleasant and kind hearted disposition made for her scores of friends throughout this region, who will be grieved to learn of her death. 

The deceased was the only child of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lee and was born in Ireland.  After coming to this country she was married to the late Wm. Quirk, who preceded her in death about 11 years ago.  Her father died at Jeanesville about two years later.  The deceased was a devout member of St. Gabriel's church, this city, where a requiem mass will be offered up on Thursday morning, with interment in St. Gabriel's cemetery. 

The following sons and daughters survive:  Edward of Park View; William, Ella, Kate, Bessie and Mary, all at home."




"Two Large Funerals. 

The funeral of the late Mrs. Mary Quirk of Jeanesville, took place from the family residence where the esteemed lady resided for almost half a century, at 9 o'clock this morning.  The cortege moved by trolley to Hazleton, where a requiem high mass was offered up in St. Gabriel's church followed by interment in St. Gabriel's cemetery.  Many former residents attended the funeral to pay a last tribute of respect to the deceased. 

The funeral of the late Daniel McDevitt of McAdoo, was held from his late home at 9 o'clock this morning.  The esteem in which the young man was held was attested by the scores of people who assembled to pay a last tribute of respect to a departed friend.  A requiem mass [sic] was [sic] offered up in St. Patrick's church followed by interment in the parish cemetery. [No relation to me, but transcribed in case anyone comes looking for him!] 

Attended Funeral. 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cummisky of Long Island, and Miss Carris Lee of Pittsburgh, attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Quirk today." [I believe it should be "Carrie Lee of Pittsburgh".]


Mary's tombstone is now leaning quite badly


NOTE:  Attached to the inside cover of an old family photo album that was passed on to me were newspaper clippings.  None of the clippings had the name of the paper that they were taken from, but it's safe to say that they most likely came from the local Hazleton area papers (The Standard Sentinel, The Plain Speaker, or the Standard-Speaker).