Mary F. Jones, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Mary F. Jones
Died.
JONES -- On November 3rd, after a lingering illness, Mary F., the beloved wife of Frank P. Jones, aged 29 years.
Were death not viewed from a supernatural or higher plane than that from which we observe most other natural changes, it would indeed seem difficult to reconcile the judgment of man with the justice of God. While we see on all sides the useless, the aged, and even the vicious pass along for years untouched by the angel of death, yet at every moment we behold stricken down, the useful, the youthful and the good -- those whose every breath is felt as a benison, and whose loss, not only their friends, but the general community have cause to mourn. Such was the case with the subject of this sketch -- a young woman just blossomed into the first years of motherhood -- surrounded by all that could make life happy, and in return, by her genial, happy and thoughtful disposition, bestowing peace and comfort on all who came within the spehere of her usefulness. Yet she is smitten by disease and death snatches her away from all earthly loves and joys. Truly, inscrutable are the ways of Divine Providence, and man can only bow to its decrees.
The deceased, whose maiden name was Mary F. Bennett, was a native of Valparaiso. Some years after the death of her father she with her mother went to live in Chicago. Several years afterward she again made Valparaiso her home. Having obtained a good education in St. Paul's school she adopted the teacher's calling, and for a number of years taught in several of the schools of this county. As a teacher she was eminently successful, and parents and children, wherever she taught were ever ready to show their appreciation of her worth. It was perhaps, as a member of the old Columbian Literary and Dramatic Society that she became best known to the public, the parts taken by her in the plays of this Society gaining for her universal favor. Her rendition of the character of "Katheleen" in the drama of "Katheleen Mavourneen" being perhaps never excelled, if ever equalled, on a Valparaiso stage.
On August 15, 1882, she was married to Frank P. Jones, and then to her life opened with bright prospects of future health and happiness. But this was not to be, for a few months after the birth of her first and only child her health began to fail, and despite all the care of loving friends and the best medical skill of not only Valparaiso, but even of Chicago, she gradually faded away under the fell blight of consumption. For over a month past her death was hourly expected, and when at last it came to relieve her sufferings, she passed quietly away fortified by the last rites of the Catholic church.
Her funeral took place on Thursday last from St. Paul's church, where a requieum mass was celebrated for the repose of her soul, Father O'Reilly at the conclusion of the burial services paying a warm tribute to her memory.
Her remains were followed to St. Paul's cemetery by a large number of friends, and as they were laid in their last resting place, many a tear was shed for her who in life so often helped to lighten the sorrow of others. May she rest in peace.
Newspaper: Porter County Vidette
Date of Publication: November 12, 1885
Volume Number: 29
Issue Number: 46
Page: 8
Column(s): 7
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook