Obituary: Catharine O’Farrell

Died, May 15, 1891, at Harper’s Ferry, CATHARINE, relict of the late Patrick O’Farrell, and a native of Newtown, Kings county, Ireland, aged 70 years.

Last July it was the writer’s sad office to note the death of her aged companion and the severance of the tie that bound this venerable couple for half a century in the holy bond of wedded love, and now a similar sense of sorrowful obligation imposes on him the mournful duty of paying a like tribute to her who could not endure a long separation from the love of her youth and hastened to rejoin him where there will be no more parting.

Mrs. O’Farrell was a lady of uncommon intelligence and refinement– eminent in the possession of every virtue that adorns a true woman and a pious Christian, and the highest eulogium that can be offered to her memory, and the best proof that she deserved the praise is to advert to the family which she reared. Most of them have preceded her to the spirit-land, but the memory of those bright, amiable and gallant boys is still green in their native town and will continue so ’till this generation passes away.

Even to a casual observer there is something very pathetic in the death of this lady so soon after the crowning bereavement which she suffered last summer. One by one her gallant sons were taken from her in the pride and flower of their early manhood, and she murmured not but said, “He that gave hath taken away; His will be done.” Her path was lighted and smoothed by the devoted love of him who partook equally of her trials and, while he was spared to her, there was balm for her wounded soul. But when it pleased Divine Prov[i]dence to cut almost the only link that bound her to earth, the long-suffering but gentle spirit drooped and pined for the release so beneficently given to it by its great and merciful Author.

To the writer of this tribute the death of this venerable lady and gentleman has a significance deeper and sadder than for any ordinary acquaintance. They were truly the friends of his youth, of his prime and of his old age– ever true and reliable, and he, at least, does not expect to meet their like again.

On Monday, May 17th, the funeral took place from the Catholic Church at Harper’s Ferry. A solemn requiem mass was celebrated for her soul– her only surviving son, the Rev. James T. O’Farrell, of Petersburg, Virginia, officiating in conjunction with the Rev. Father Wilson, the resident pastor.– Father Wilson delivered a most eloquent discourse on the life and character of the deceased, after which the very large and imposing funeral proceeded to the Catholic Cemetery in Bolivar where she was laid beside him whom she devotedly loved in life and from whom she was not long separated by death.

May she and hers who went before her rest in eternal peace and happiness in a blessed reunion and in the company of the saints whose virtues they so closely copied.

A FRIEND.
HARPER’S FERRY, May 19, 1891.