THE LATE MRS. JOHANNA O’SHEA

New Zealand Tablet, 26 June 1919, Page 28

THE LATE MRS. JOHANNA O’SHEA

OBSEQUIES AT IIAWERA. (By telegraph from an esteemed correspondent.) The funeral of the late Mrs. Johanna O'Shea, mother of the Coadjutor-Archbishop of Wellington, was one of the most impressive that have taken place in Hawera. After a short illness, Mrs. O'Shea passed away at the patriarchal age of 85 years, having had the happiness of receiving the last Sacraments at the hands of her son (Archbishop O'Shea). For close upon 50 years she was a pious, zealous, and devoted parishioner of St. Joseph's, Hawera. She was ever the right hand of the priest, and, when in her declining years she was unable to render active assistance, she gave, without stint, the aid of her sympathy and prayers. That this was appreciated by the parishioners was evidenced by the large congregations that attended the ceremonies of her burial. On Thursday evening Matins for the Dead were recited, and on Friday morning the Requiem was sung by his Grace Archbishop O'Shea, attended by a .large number of priests from Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and the more neighboring districts. His Grace Archbishop Redwood, the venerable Metropolitan, who was attended at the throne by the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy and Dean McKenna, preached a very touching panegyric, recounting incidents of the practical faith of the deceased, which moved the congregation to tears. She had deserved well of the Church (said his Grace), having given one child who would bs future Metropolitan, of. New Zealand, another who was head of a religious community of women in the archdiocese, and a third-who was looked up to for his mental, civic; and moral qualities by the people of the district where he lived. ' The incidental music of the Mass and at the graveside was devotionally sung by the choir of St. Joseph's Church, assisted by the priests. The body was laid to rest beside that of her husband on the anniversary day of their marriage, and on the eighteenth anniversary of his burial. May they both rest in peace.