Obituaries Australia

On Sunday, December 27, at Liverpool, there passed to her eternal reward a widely known, conspicuously esteemed and greatly beloved Irish lady in the person of Mrs. Catherine McGuinness, relict of the late Thomas Patrick McGuinness, of Belfast, Ireland. Deceased, who was 80, had for upwards of three years been residing with her eldest son, Mr. Joseph McGuinness, of Scott-street, Liverpool, and his family. The greater part of her life had been spent in Belfast City, but from the day she came to Australia 25 years ago, with her daughter, Mary (the late Mrs. George Gilbert) and her two sons, Joe and Liam, she had loved this country and its people only slightly less than she loved her dear native land. In Ireland Mrs. McGuinness had known many of the fine spirits, the gallant patriots and 'intelligensia,' who successfully strove to awaken the people to national consciousness and to full realisation of the priceless heritage of Celtic tradition, Irish thought and custom and Gaelic culture. To spend a few hours in conversation with this, so typically Ulster, little woman was a rare pleasure for young as well as for old. It is principally in the role of 'little Irish mother' that the late Mrs. McGuinness' friends will ever remember her. Her love of Ireland inspired her children with a like love and it was her affection and encouragement that sustained her son Liam (Billy), when 'to the cause that never dies' he devoted him self unselfishly in early youth in Belfast City, as well as later, in this city of Sydney, where for many years he was prominent in the Irish National Association of New South Wales. In those days she resided at Forest Lodge. Latterly the late Mrs. McGuinness owing to the weak state of her health had been unable to be physically present at Holy Mass, but her piety was remarkable and she used constantly to receive Holy Communion from Rev. Father Leen, of Liverpool, who ministered to her during this period, who attended her at the end, and to whom she was very devoted and grateful. The funeral took place on Tuesday morning, December 29, the remains being interred in Rookwood cemetery. Rev. Father McCarthy, of Gosford, a devoted friend of the deceased, read the burial service. Amongst the large gathering at the graveside were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McGuinness, Mr. and Mrs. Liam McGuinness, Mr. George Gilbert, and the following of deceased's grandchildren: Misses Eileen McGuinness, Maureen and Kitty Gilbert, Master Brian McGuinness, Mr. Frank McGuinness and Mr. Patrick Gilbert. Also included were the following: Mr. and Mrs. Lahiff, Mrs. Dwyer, Mrs. Moloney and Miss May Moloney, Mrs. Wheeler and Miss R. Wheeler, Mrs. Dunne, Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Paterson, Mrs. Fitzpatrick, Miss Mansfield, Miss B. Dunne, Mrs. Bennett, Messrs. J. Lahiff, G. Fitzsimmons, Albert Dreyer, E. Shesgreen, and numerous other friends.