Harriett Gibbs Shea 1851 - 1947

GIBBS, SHEA

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/27/2018 at 22:35:58

The Onawa Weekly Democrat
14 August 1947

BELOVED PIONEER MOTHER AT RIENC0E DIED SUNDAY
MRS HATTIE SHEA, 95, CIVIL WAR WIDOW PASSED AWAY LAST SUNDAY IN HOME AT BLENCOE
Resident of Monona County Since 1877. She had Been Confined to her bed for the Past two Years.' Member of Methodist Church

Death took another pioneered mother Sunday, August 10th, 1947 when Mrs. Hattie Shea passed away at her home in Blencoe, Iowa, at the age of 95 years. Heat of the past week aggravated her condition and the end came peacefully.

Mrs. Shea has been confined to her bed for the past three years and has been cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Clara Strain.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, August 12th from the Congregational church in Blencoe. Rev. Epperson pastor of the Christian Church in Onawa officiated. Burial was made in the Graceland Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Everett Johnson, Richard Cooper, William Kelley, Oscar Johnson, Edward, Jr. and Joseph Shea.

Miss Mildred Otto sang a solo and Mrs. Gladys Johnson' and Mrs. Lois Rock, a duet. Floral arrangements were handled by Mrs. Dall Mobley and Mrs. C. V. Watson. Arrangements were directed by the N. C. Gray Funeral home of Blencoe.

"Seldom do we assemble on such an occasion as this to pay tribute to a mother who came within a few years of reaching the century mark. We can recite that Harriett Gibbs was born to a sturdy Canadian couple on November 5, 1851 at Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Her parents were Sam and Clarissa Gibbs. With the family, like hundreds of others, she came to the United States, first into Michigan and then with her ox team to O'Brien County in Iowa. Here she met and wed a young Union Veteran, Edward Shea. They were united in marriage October 7, 1871. The couple moved to Monona County in 1877, settling east of Turin. In 1884, they moved to River Sioux in Harrison County. In 1900, the family moved to Blencoe, where Mrs. Shea has since resided. Her husband, Edward Shea, Sr., passed away in 1913.

"Born to this union were four sons and four daughters, two daughters, Lucy and Ina, now deceased. The sons are Edward A. Shea, of Blencoe; John H. Shea, of Sioux City; Ernest E. Shea, of Blencoe; and Walter W. Shea of Dunlap, Iowa. The two daughters are Miss Nettie Shea of Moorhead; and Mrs. Clara Strain of Blencoe, who has tenderly cared for her mother during the last three years, ministering to her every need-day and night. Death came Sunday, August 10th, at the age of 95 years 9 months and 5 days. Mrs. Shea was a member of the Methodist church and the Royal Neighbors of America.

"Her greatest satisfaction in life was that she had raised a family which had made a mark in the world. Her devotion to them was reciprocated by them in the care and adoration they gave her. A long life ends with its eternal rewards.