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It was the end of the 19th Century. The matriarch of the O�Grady clan, Catherine McDonald O�Grady died in 1899 and was interred at St. Patrick�s Cemetery. At the age of sixty she succumbed to croupous pneumonia. Although a headstone does not exist for her, the plot is extremely interesting. Even if you find cemeteries ghoulish, you will experience an appreciation for the artistry of the memorial that dominates this plot. At the center of the raised plot in Block 234 is a beautiful, gnarly tree of life chiseled out of granite. The O�Farrell name is emblazoned across its� front. Catherine O�Grady�s daughter, the Elizabeth O'Grady O�Farrell, wife of Marcus, is buried there; as are two O�Farrell children. Elizabeth�s second husband, James Breen, is interred there, as well; along with Catherine�s other daughter, my great-grandmother, Petronella (Ellen) Lavelle and my great-grandfather, Michael Patrick Lavelle. Of the two O�Farrell children little is known. The boy, John, would die in 1901 at the age of 8 years, appearing in his father�s 1903 obituary. The girl, Marie, lived only a year, dying in 1899. Nearby is another O�Farrell plot; that of Marcus�s parents. This memorial located in Block 42 is equally interesting, although it has sustained some damage over the years. Of a much finer gray marble it boasts a finely carved cross; and kneeling at its� base, an angel with wings outstretched and arms lifted in supplication. Marcus�s father, John, outlived him by one day shy of two months, while his mother predeceased him by six years. Also interred there are a brother, John J and a Kathleen O�Farrell.
Cemeteries can be a very peaceful place, and full of useful information. I spent hours combing both St. Patrick's and Holy Cross, the Catholic cemeteries in Butte. When I located my great-grandfather's resting place, within the O'Farrell compound as noted above, it was in a sad state of disrepair. The headstone proper, with names and dates had long since disappeared, leaving only a base of granite. It seemed a tragedy that no one would know Michael Patrick and Ellen Lavelle rested there unless they consulted the Sexton. So, I made a trip to Trevillion's and ordered up another stone. A fascinating bit of historical trivia unfolded. Butte winters, being what they are, required that vehicles have added traction in the rear--there would be no four wheel drive for decades to come. I was told a common practice, particularly among young bucks out in their roadsters and trucks, was to drive through the cemetery in winter, wrestle a stone off its pedestal and heave it into the back of the vehicle to provide the necessary traction! In fact, Mr. Johnson confided, over the years many a tombstone was found in Butte basements and cellars because of just this practice. Poor great-grandad! Part of him was destined to provide 'all wheel drive' for some Butte resident, probably a good Catholic, too!
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