The Tumut and Agelong Times 17 Jan 1939
OBITUARY MRS. M. A. SHEAHAN Jugiong is in mourning. Last Wednesday evening just prior to 10 o'clock, Mrs. Mary Anne Sheahan, proprietress of the Jugiong Hotel, af ter a patiently-borne illness, passed to her eternal reward. The death of Mrs. Sheahan removes a splendid type of woman, an ideal Australian citizen, whose life was spent in doing good for others. Mrs. Sheahan was born at "Rosebank"' Gilmore, 86 years ago. She was the second eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Downing, of "Rosebank" and Gadara. During her 35 years' residence in Jugiong, Mrs. Sheahan was a friend to all. So long indeed have the people seen the familiar figure, the keen yet kindly eyes, so long have they listened to that pleasant sympathetic voice, that Jugiong, without Mrs. Sheahan, will be hard to imagine. Mrs. Sheahan was a woman of strong purpose and indomitable will. Through all the vicissitudes of life, through all its losses and crosses, she remained loyal to her convictions, and even those who differed from her respected and admired the unswerving rectitude of her character. Her charity to the poor, her helpfulness to those in need, and her many deeds which were done so quietly and unostentatiously that never till the last trumpet sounds shall the good works of Mrs. Sheahan be known. The late Mrs. Sheahan was an ardent member of the Catholic faith. Exemplary in all her actions, her unwavering faith was something at which to marvel. With her religious beliefs, Mrs. Sheahan was an exceptionally broadminded person, and one of her greatest detestations was bigotry. No matter what creed or class, Mrs. Sheahan would always lend the helping hand. Mrs. Reg Stuart, of Murrumburrah (nee Miss Gertie Downing) was reared by Mrs. Sheahan since babyhood, and her demise is as keenly felt by Mrs. Stuart as if her own mother had died. Mrs. Sheahan leaves a family of nine, Mrs. A. Vicq (Jugiong), Miss K. Sheahan (Jugiong), Miss L. Sheahan (Jugiong), Mrs. G. Holm (Jugiong), Mrs. P. Stuart (Harden), Mr. John Sheahan (Parkes), Mr. James Sheahan (Jugiong), Mr. Robert Sheahan (Jugiong) and Mr. W. F. Sheahan (Sydney). Members of the Downing family still living are: Mrs. Nash (Adelong), Mrs. McDonald (Al bury), Mrs. Thom (Temora) and Mrs. Thom (Waverley), and Messrs Michael, Charles and Fred. Downing (Tu mut). Mrs. Sheahan's life was lived for her family, for the good that she could do, and how well of her, may be applied the words of the Australian poet, John O'Brien: When at last the books are balanced in thee settling up to be, And our idols on the rubbish heap are hurled; Then the Judge shall call to honor — not the "stars" it seems to me, Who have posed behind the foot lights of the world; But the king may doff his purple and the queen lay by her crown, And the great ones of this earth shall stand aside, While a little Australian mother, in her tattered faded gown, Shall receive the crown that earth to her denied. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. John's Chunch, Jugiong, on Friday at 9 a.m. and the funeral left immediately afterwards for the Catholic cemetery. During her illness Mrs. Sheahan was lovingly cared for by her daughters, who saw that everything humanly possible was done for her. Mrs. Sheahan was conscious almost right to the end, and fortified by the rites of her church she passed peacefully away. |