Home > United States of America > Iowa > Greene County > Willow Cemetery > Catherine McDonald Caraher

Catherine McDonald Caraher

Birth	:	1854
Death	:	28 Nov 1932 Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Willow Cemetery, Greene County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.9067001, -94.5730972
Inscription	:	Mother
Description	:	Jefferson Bee December 6, 1932 Page 1 MRS. MICHAEL CARAHER LIFE OF A FAITHFUL MOTHER End Comes Nov. 28, and Burial Mode In Catholic Cemetery in Willow Township. Mrs. Catherine Caraher died on Monday, November 28, at Mercy hospital, Council Bluffs. She was the daughter of Patrick McDonald and Anna O'Malley, both born in Ireland and married there. There, also, their first two children were born; four other sons and two daughters, among them Catherine, was born in this country. The parents first settled in Pennsylvania, but a few years answered the call of the... Read More	Jefferson Bee December 6, 1932 Page 1 MRS. MICHAEL CARAHER LIFE OF A FAITHFUL MOTHER End Comes Nov. 28, and Burial Mode In Catholic Cemetery in Willow Township. Mrs. Catherine Caraher died on Monday, November 28, at Mercy hospital, Council Bluffs. She was the daughter of Patrick McDonald and Anna O'Malley, both born in Ireland and married there. There, also, their first two children were born; four other sons and two daughters, among them Catherine, was born in this country. The parents first settled in Pennsylvania, but a few years answered the call of the West and came out to Guthrie county, Iowa, In the sixties, thus forming part of the pioneer band who reduced Iowa from a prairie to a settled and civilized community. Their life there was characterized by the qualities which made our early pioneers nation-builders. Greene and Guthrie counties were then being settled, and out to this land also came a young man who was to be identified with the life of Greene county for three score years. His name was Michael Caraher, also a native of Ireland. He brought with him the rugged qualities, the simple faith, and the tenacity of purpose which enabled his ancestors to survive three centuries of religious prosecution. Soon he had a stake In the land, and, looking for someone to share life with him, he won as a partner Catherine McDonald. They were married in November, 1880. To them nine children were born. The future historian will be pleased to have a simple record of the life of this Catholic family and their contribution to the upbuilding of the faith In America. Four of these children have consecrated their lives to the service of God: Brother Jerome, a member of the Trappist Order In Gethsemane, Kentucky; Father Edward, T. O. R., a member of the Franciscans; Sister Mary Ursula (now deceased), a member of the Sisters of Mercy In Davenport; Sister Mary Magdalen, a member of the Sisters of Mercy In Council Bluffs. One child died in his teens. Four stalwart sons are still wedded to life on the farm. Feeling his life's work in the world done, his wife and children well provided for, and the urgency of his strong faith calling for some nobler sacrifice for him than a life of ease and retirement—which he had well earned—in the world, Michael Caraher In 1917 disposed of all his worldly goods and with the full and free consent of his life partner followed his eldest son to the Trappist Order In Gethsemene, where he spent the remainder of his life as an Oblate, thus realizing what must have been a life-long craving—the complete devotion of his life to the service of God. There he became "mortuus i mundo", living the simple and austere life of the Trappist, clothed in the habit of the Order, sharing in the community life in all Its rigor till the Angel of Death called him; and there he sleeps, awaiting the Resurrection in their little cemetery among the deceased members of the community. So we see in his life In America of the twentieth century a throw-back to the old Irish monks who left the world to devote their lives to prayer, penance and solitude. When the close of life was near, Catherine Caraher also followed somewhat In his footsteps. Some time ago she came to Mercy hospital to be with her daughter, sister Mary Magdalen, and to be ministered to there by her and the other members of the community. With her children gathered round her bedside in prayer, she breathed forth her soul in peace with God Just as the noon angelus bell was ringing out the Joyful tidings of the Annunciations. The funeral took place Wednesday, November 30, from the parish church at Bayard, Iowa, of which she had been a lifelong and faithful member. The beautiful high altar, where Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated for the repose of her soul by the pastor, Reverend Wm. Hegarty, had been donated by Mrs. Caraher. The pastor was assisted by the Reverend Wm. Coughlan, a former pastor, as deacon, the Reverend Cleo Ives of Coon Rapids, Iowa, where Mrs. Caraher's only surviving brother, Ed McDonald, still lives, as sub-deacon, and Reverend J. F. Costello, a friend of the family, master of ceremonies. At the same time at the Blessed Virgin's altar her son, Father Edward, offered up the sacrifice of the mass for the repose of his mother's soul. The interment was at Willow cemetery, where, as she was a Franciscan tertiary, she was laid to rest clothed In the Franciscan habit beside her son Joseph. There also her parents are buried. It is our prayer that as she passed the threshold of life to meet her Redeemer, she who had given four of her children to His service and finally her life partner, received from Him the affectionate greeting reserved for those who have served Him faithfully: "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." May she rest in peace Amen.—Contributed.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Catherine McDonald Caraher's memorial?
Catherine McDonald Caraher's memorial is located at: Willow Cemetery, Greene County, USA.
When did Catherine McDonald Caraher death?
Catherine McDonald Caraher death on 28 Nov 1932 in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Catherine McDonald Caraher's memorial?
Latitude: 41.9067001
Longitude: -94.5730972

Family Members:

Parent

Patrick McDonald

(1818 - 1891)

Anna McDonald

(1825 - 1899)

Siblings

Patrick James McDonald

(1852 - 1917)

Thomas Dennis McDonald

(1853 - 1924)

Maria Anna McDonald Holden

(1860 - 1931)

Edward McDonald

(1862 - 1934)

Children

Joseph M. Caraher

(1883 - 1896)

Thomas Fenton Caraher

(1891 - 1963)

Peter F. Caraher

(1899 - 1994)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Willow Cemetery
Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9067001, -94.5730972

2. Union Township Cemetery
Coon Rapids, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8781013, -94.6389008

3. Coon Rapids Cemetery
Coon Rapids, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8778000, -94.6678009

4. Highland Cemetery
Bayard, Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8241997, -94.5717010

5. Oak Hill Cemetery
Coon Rapids, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9053001, -94.7200012

6. Greenbrier Cemetery
Cooper, Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9063988, -94.4218979

7. Dodge Center Cemetery
Bagley, Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8194008, -94.4697037

8. Orange Township Cemetery
Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8163986, -94.6844025

9. Scranton Township Cemetery
Scranton, Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0306015, -94.5783005

10. Old Carrollton Cemetery
Carrollton, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9233017, -94.7403030

11. Headley Cemetery
Jefferson, Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0041504, -94.4335815

12. German Cemetery
Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9136009, -94.3778000

13. Tuttles Grove Cemetery
Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8130989, -94.7228012

14. McCurdy Cemetery
Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9403000, -94.7649994

15. Gibson-Fleck-Thompson Cemetery
Scranton, Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0428870, -94.4988800

16. Wright Cemetery
Jefferson, Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0228004, -94.4477997

17. Fair Oaks Cemetery
Scranton, Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0355988, -94.4460983

18. Moffit Grove Cemetery
Yale, Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7668991, -94.4539032

19. Richland Memorial Cemetery
Herndon, Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8353004, -94.3657990

20. Franklin Township Cemetery
Cooper, Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9268990, -94.3388977

21. Dillavou Cemetery
Kendrick Township, Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0802994, -94.6138992

22. Seeley Township Cemetery
Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7318993, -94.6147003

23. Saint Josephs Cemetery
Dedham, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8993988, -94.8210983

24. Dedham Cemetery
Dedham, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8993988, -94.8225021