Mary Powers (Maher)

Mrs. Mary Powers died at the home of her brother, Jas. E. Maher, last Friday, after an illness of over two years. The funeral was held at St. Francis Borgia’s Catholic Church at 10 o’clock Monday, December 28th, Father C. A. Byersdorfer officiating, assisted by other priests from Omaha.

Mary Maher was born in Cumming City Township, this county, in 1859, and was thus among the first children born in the county. She has not been herself since the death of her husband about two years ago. She is survived by her brother, and two sisters, Mrs. R. A. Heaton, of Wahoo, and Mrs. Lizzie Cunningham, of Kingston, N. Y.

#2-29 Dec., 1921 - The Enterprise

MARY MAHER POWERS

Mary Maher was born in Cuming City Nov. 6, 1859, and was thus just past sixty two years of age. She was reared to womanhood in this county and educated in the Blair schools, and her entire life was spent in this the place of her nativity.

She comes of a family of pioneer settlers who are known to the entire county as honorable, responsible citizens, and who are held in high esteem the county over.

She was married to Mr. J. K. Powers of Millard, Nebr. early in 1900, and for a number of years they lived on their fine farm on the bench between Blair and Herman, but later built themselves a home on South street where they resided until Mr. Power’s death which occurred about five years ago. Since that time, Mrs. Powers has been in failing health, the shock of her husband’s death being too great for her to stand and she gradually failed until the end came last Friday at the home of her brother, Mr. Jas. E. Maher where she has been cared for for some time.

The funeral services were held at the Catholic church in this city on last Monday morning with Father Beyersdorfer officiating, and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

Several out of town relatives and friends were present at the funeral services, among them being Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Heaton of Wahoo, Mrs. Fred Cunningham and son of Kingston, N.Y., both ladies being sisters of the deceased, also Father O’Driscoll and Mr. and Mrs. Pat Gillispie and Tom Quinlan of Omaha and Wm. Quinlan of Iowa.

#3-29 Dec., 1921 - The Tribune - Mary (Maher) Powers

MRS. J. K. POWERS HAS BEEN CALLED TO HER REST

Mrs. J. K. Powers passed away on Friday morning, December 23, 1921 at the home of her brother, James E. Maher on west South street.

Mrs. Powers had been an invalid for the past five years. Her husband died in January, 1916, and she never recovered from the shock. Everything that was possible was done to lessen the strain on her mind, and her relatives and friends administered in many ways to relieve her sorrow, but she never ceased to grieve intently over the death of her beloved companion until death severed the cord which connected her with all things earthly.

Mary Maher was born in Cuming City township November 6, 1859, and was 62 years of age. She was the daughter of William and Catherine Maher who came from Ireland to Cuming City in 1859. Deceased came with her parents from Cuming City to Blair in 1888, and she had since made this place her home. She was married to Jefferson K. Powers in May, 1900, and they were known as an extraordinarily devoted couple.

Mrs. Powers was a woman of charitable deeds and was greatly admired by a host of friends. She is survived by one brother, James E. Maher of this city, and two sisters, Mrs. R. A. Heaton of Wahoo and Mrs. Fred Cunningham of Kingston, New York.

The funeral was held eat 10 a.m. Monday at St. Francis Catholic church of which she was a lifelong and devout member, conducted by the Rev. Fr. Beyersdorfer. Fr. O’Driscoll, a former priest of this parish, now in Florence, was also in attendance. Burial was made in the family lot in the Blair cemetery.

Find a Grave Memorial # 129890827

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.~~~