A Much Lamented Death

The death of Mrs. Joanna O'Donnell last Monday evening at her residence in this city, was a severe shock to the bereaved family and sympathizing public. After a long and patient suffering from declining health and strength, her death was hastened by supervening pleuratic and stomach disorders, that baffled the skill of physicians and the ministrations of family and friend.

Mrs. O'Donell was a native of Keletrah, County of Cork, Ireland, where she was born 73 years ago. She was the wife of John O'Donnell, a founder of Placerville, who built the old theatre that was burned after his death, on the lot now occupied by the handsome new dwelling of the family. She leaves two sons, the merchant John C. and Constantine; two daughter, Misses Mary and Tillie, to keep her faith and memory. All of them are natives and residents of the city. Of the daughters, Mary is a high-grade teacher in the public schools, and Tillie has been for many years, a favorite compositor on the DEMOCRAT, and has the love and sympathy of all who have been associated with her.

Mrs. O'Donnell was a sister of Mrs. William Donahue, formerly of this city, and of Michael and Joseph O'Keefe. The two first named were with her during the last days of her life and all of them were at her funeral last Wednesday. Mrs. O'Donnell was a devout Catholic and the last rites of her faith were impressively conducted by Father McFeeley, at the Catholic church which was filled by a sad and sympathetic assemblage.

Source: The Mountain Democrat (Placerville, El Dorado County, California) Jan 7, 1899, Page 5