Galena Daily Gazette, March 28, 1896

Death of Mrs. W. F. O'Hara

Sudden Passing Away This Morning of an Esteemed Lady

It is with surprise and sorrow that the friends of Mrs. William F. O'Hara learned this morning of her death, which occurred very suddenly at the family residence on Dodge street. She was taken ill at 2 o'clock in the night and breathed her last a few minutes after 5, sinking peacefully and painlessly into death almost ere the family appreciated that there was no danger. The sudden affliction is rendered doubly sad by the precarious condition of Mr. O'Hara who has been hopelessly ill for months and whose death has been daily expected the last week. The news of the additional and sudden sorrow of the family was broken to him and was a great shock His condition is very critical and there is no hope that he will long survive the companion of his life time.
Mrs. O'Hara was an invalid many years but was able to attend to ordinary household duties and assisted in ministering to her husband up to the last. On Wednesday she was taken with a mild cold but no serious symptoms developed, and it was not until three hours before death that she appeared at all ill. Her physician was summoned as her condition grew rapidly worsen, but she passed away before he arrived. Heart failure was the direct cause of her death. Mrs. O'Hara was 62 years of age and was a native of Nova Scotia. Her maiden name was Mary Reid. She was married to Mr. O'Hara at St. Johns, N. B., June 24, 1851. Two years later they came to Galena and have been residents here forty-three years. Of their children the survivors are; Mrs. Henry B. Alden and Mrs. Robert H. Lingford of Chicago; William O'Hara of Leavenworth, Kansas; Howard G. O'Hara, manager of P. F. Colliers agency at Pittsburg, Pa. and Miss Mamie O'Hara residing at home. Mrs. Alden has been here attending her father the last four weeks. The absent ones were notified. One son, Frank, died a few years ago and another child in infancy.
The deceased was a member of the Bench Street Methodist church many years, and lived a devoted, consistent Christian life. She was a model wife and mother, domestic in her taste and through years of physical suffering displaced great patience and fortitude. All who knew here mourn the demise of a good Christian women.
The absent children will all arrive tomorrow but the funeral arrangements will not be made until they come. It is probable the burial will not be made until Tuesday.