Obits: Mrs. Patrick Dunn (Anne Murray): Walworth County, Wisconsin
Copyright (c) 2000 by Leta Donohue. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives Jan 5, 2000   splat@ridgenet.net

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THE SILENT SUMMONS
Funeral at Lake Geneva Thursday of Mrs. Patrick Dunn
Mrs. Dunn, Who Was the Mother of Mrs. J. E. Hagan of This City, Was a Pioneer Resident of Walworth and Well Known to Harvard People.
Announcement was made in this paper last week of the death of Mrs. Patrick Dunn, which occurred at the home of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. John Dunn, of Lake Geneva, at an early hour Tuesday morning, Oct. 17. With the awakening of a new day she went to sleep like a tired child, surely a most fitting time for a pure spirit to take its flight heavenward. After a long, busy and useful life she died as she had lived - honored, trusted and loved. She reared her own monument while she lived in the hearts of all who knew her. Her life work was completed, if work all done and well done constitutes completion. 
Death was due to old age, Mrs. Dunn having celebrated her 89th birthday on last Christmas. A woman of wonderful vitality, she was hale and hearty almost to the last. In spite of her great age and the fact that she had lived and enjoyed life for so many years beyond the allotted "three score and ten," her death none the less occasions widespread sorrow, for no one had a larger acquaintance and was loved and respected more than "Grandma" Dunn. 
Anne Murray was a native of County Armagh, Ireland, and was born Dec. 25, 1821. Her father died in her childhood and at the age of eighteen years she came to the United States, in company with her mother and sister. They settled in Port Henry, Vermont, where they resided for a few years, her marriage to Patrick Dunn occurring there in 1845. Immediately after marriage they set out for the west, locating in the town of Linn, Walworth County, Wis., at a point about three miles southwest of the city of Lake Geneva. Later they moved to the farm, 2 1/2 miles east of Walworth, known as the Dunn homestead, which is still in possession of the family. There they worked and reared their family and for many years were numbered among the well-known and respected residents of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn retired from the farm in the fall of 1896 and moved to Lake Geneva. Mr. Dunn's death occurring a year later, on Oct. 23, 1897. 
Mrs. Dunn is survived by two sons and two daughters: Mrs. J.E. Hagan of this city, M. Dunn, who resides on the old homestead, east of Walworth, and E.F. Dunn and Mrs. H. G. Douglass of Lake Geneva. A son, John Dunn died twenty-four years ago last Christmas and a daughter, Mrs. John Kelly, passed away at Vincent, Iowa, fourteen years ago. 
Mrs. Dunn's death marks the close of a long and useful life. She was a pioneer and had seen the community in which she had lived for so many years transformed from a vast wilderness and untilled land to thriving villages and cities and fertile farms. She was a devout Catholic and ever true to the teachings of that faith. She was one of the most hospitable and charitable women in the world, and none ever entered her home without a warm welcome, nor left without feeling the warmth of a genuine hospitality, so characteristic of the people of her ancestry. She was a great lover of children and the little ones always found a staunch friend in her. Under her kindly influence and guidance her sons and daughters grew to manhood and womanhood, becoming useful and respected citizens. She was a good neighbor and friend and many acts of kindness and charity are traceable to her. In her home, as a wife and mother, she was at her best, always working and striving for the interests and comfort of those beloved - in fact, possessing all the characteristics of a true woman, one whom it was a pleasure to know. She had a strong constitution and retained the use of her faculties to a marvelous degree and was wonderfully well preserved for a woman of her age. Never did old age diminish her unselfish solicitude for her friends and loved ones. 
Impressive funeral services were held at St. Francis' Church, Lake Geneva, last Thursday morning, there being a large attendance. The floral offerings were many and beautiful, but not more beautiful than the face that rested so peacefully among them. At the conclusion of the Requiem Mass, which was celebrated by Rev. Father Burke, all that was mortal of this grand old mother in Israel was tenderly conveyed to Hudson cemetery, near that city, where by the side of her devoted husband she now rests in peace. The pall bearers were John Barlow, Nicholas Brady, Michael Quinn, Geo. Bogart and John Gavin. 
Relatives and friends from this city who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Hagan and daughters, Misses Lula and Marjorie Hagan, E. J. Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. John Barlow, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. W. Boodel, Mr. And Mrs. A. J. McCarty, Thomas Boodel, Miss Elizabeth Boodel, Mrs. Kathryn Barrett, Mrs. John B. Howard and Miss Mayme McDermott.
"Smooth the locks of silver hair 
On our mother's brow with tenderest care; 
Gather the robe in final fold 
Around the form so still and cold; 
Lay on her bosom, pure as snow, 
The fairest, sweetest flowers that grow."