In Memoriam, Catharine McGrath Maroney, 1832-1912, St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Lillis, Kansas
She lay forgotten, just another stone
within a field of stones, with Mother etched
above her name. And yet had blessings grown,
like kindling fired, in all the souls she touched.
Her children, husband, lineage, so dear
to her in life, now lie beside. Before
the silent stones, a passerby might hear
their lesson, Family, then know it more.
A eulogy two daughters penned survives.
In Ireland born on Christmas Day, she served
a caring God throughout her years. To lives
in need, she lavished kindness unreserved.
No more her brightness fills the length of day,
but light has claimed the darkness where she lay.
John McGrath grew up on a small farm in Kansas, the second-oldest of 12 children. He worked in Information Technology in Boston before retiring to Florida in 2013 with his wife of 38 years.