The Obituary of Elizabeth Gregory Brehany Maguire

Music is Carrigfergus sequenced by Barry Taylor

This site created by Harry E. Connors III

Please e-mail me with any additions, corrections, and comments.

I have to thank Guy Gregory, a descendent of Elizabeth's brother, James, for this obituary. There's a lot of new information here--including her second marriage. Apparently, there were three Gregory siblings who immigrated to Galena, Elizabeth, James, and an unnamed sister mentioned in this obituary. The obituary was published in the September 7, 1901 edition of the Galena Weekly Gazette.

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In the death of Mrs. Eliza Maguire one of Galena’s oldest residents has passed away, on who through two generations had been identified with the life of the city, enjoying the esteem of the community and the affectionate regard of a wide circle of friends. Coming here from her native land in early womanhood, this city has been her home of nearly three score years and her children to the fourth generation have grown up around her. Only three weeks ago she celebrated the completion of her 73rd year.

She was born, August 15, 1827, at Ballinsloe, County Tyrone, Ireland, her maiden name being Eliza Gregory. In 1843 she come to this country to join in Galena a sister who had preceded her here, and in 1847 she was wedded in St. Michael’s Church to M. J. Brehany, a retail merchant and valued citizen of Galena in these years. He died in the prime of a successful business career after twenty years of wedded life. She was married a second time to Thomas Maguire who has been dead a number of years.

Five children were born to her first marriage, the youngest of whom, Mrs. Edward A, Conway of Sioux City, died in 1887. The surviving children, all of whom were with her to comfort her last hours, are Mrs. Matthew Beaton, Mrs. M. A. Hellman, and John M. Brehany of this city, and Mrs. William H. Martin of Chicago. Twelve grandchildren and five great grandchildren also survive her.

Mrs. Maguire was endowed with a superior intellectuality and breadth of character, with a lofty spiritual faith and the charity that never faileth. Not merely did she faithfully discharge the Christian mother’s most sacred care to rear children to a salutary citizenship, but she was even ready to minister to the sick, to comfort the afflicted, to smooth the pathway and brighten the existence
of a friend and neighbor. Throughout life she was a devoted Catholic and a member of St. Michael’s church whose loss will be deeply felt by that society.

Naturally of a cheerful, happy disposition, she retained her mental vigor unimpaired to the end and was ever a delightful companion no less than a benign counselor and friend. The bereavement that has fallen upon her children is shared by many whose grateful regard she had won, for, through ripe her years, her mission in good works knew no end.

The funeral will be held at 9 o’clock on Monday morning from the residence to St. Michael’s church, where requiem mass will be celebrated by Rev. Father Shannahan.

MRS. ELIZ MAGUIRE DEAD.

Aged Resident of Galena Dies at
Her Home on Bench Street
This Forenoon

Mrs. Maguire Was Seventy-Three Years
Old and Resided Here For Nearly
Three-Score Years.

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This page last modified on Monday, November 26, 2007

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