| This morning from St. Bonaventure's church, Allegany, occurred the funeral of the late Mrs.
Ellen O'Hern, widow of the late Patrick O'Hern of this city. The
solemn requiem mass was celebrated at 10 o'clock, the Very Rev. T. F. Hickey, vicar general of the
diocese of Rochester, preaching the sermon. Burial was made in the Catholic cemetery near the church.
Yesterday the solemn requiem high mass was celebrated at St. Elizabeth's church, South Sharon, by her
four sons, assisted by the neighboring clergy. Her six sons acted as pall bearers. The church was filled by
sorrowing relatives and friends.
In his sermon today at St. Bonaventure's church Father Hickey said: Mr. and Mrs. O'Hern were
among the pioneers, who by labor and money assisted materially in erecting the first buildings of
St. Bonaventure's college, in which later their first son was raised to the holy priesthood. It is worthy of note
that the early priests of St. Bonaventure's, among whom were the present apostolic delegate, Most Rev.
Dionide Folconio, were frequent visitors at the O'Hern home. Mrs. O'Hern had a great love for this church
and for the Franciscan Fathers and for upwards of fifty years was a devoted member of the Third Order of
St. Francis.
Christmas 1904, her third son was ordained priest by Rt. Rev. B. J. McQuaid at Rochester. On the
following day she had the peculiar happiness of witnessing solemn high mass at St. Patrick's cathedral,
celebrated by her four sons and two nephews of the same name, Rev. Maurice and William O'Hern.
At this time Very Rev. Father Hickey spoke most eloquently of her queenly place among women, as the
mother of three priests and a fourth one near ordination.
Such is the life of one of God's choicest women. Always humble, unassuming and kind towards
everyone, she had a solid faith and piety that made her brave any and every sacrifice for the sake of her
religion. Though mother of so many vocations, she was never known by a single word to influence any of
her children in making a choice in life. Her part was prayer and example, the rest she left to God.
Mrs. O'Hern was a remarkable woman in many ways. She was born at Daugh, county Kerry, Ireland. In the
year 1839, her maiden name being Ellen Casey. She came to this country in the year 1850, when 11 years
old. In June, 1857, she was married to her late husband at Cuba, N. Y.
[see also: Mary (Casey) O'Hern] |