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Former Shoe Manufacturer Had Been Feeble for Some Time Salem Evening News, circa August 16, 1918 Dennis Brady, for many years a leading shoe manufacturer of Salem, died at his home, 12 Briggs Street, this morning. He had been feeble for a long time, but was able to take short walks out of doors up to a few days ago. Mr. Brady was born in Ireland, the son of Dennis and Catherine (Murion) [sic] Brady, but had been a resident of Salem 55 years. He had a large factory on Mason Street, and at one time employed a great number of men. He leaves a widow, formerly Emma T. Riley; three sons, Frank J. of Maplewood; William F. of Salem, and Edward L. of St. Paul, Minn.; two daughters Miss Elizabeth D. Brady and Mrs. Charles E. Halliday, Jr., of Salem, and several grandchildren. He was a member of John Bertram Lodge, A. O. U. W., and Veragua Council, K. of C. From A Fifty Year History of Saint Mary’s Hospital Gold Ball at the Waldorf Astoria, November 25, 1932 The time-honored aphorism that “Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow” is exemplified to perfection in the history of Saint Mary’s Hospital of Brooklyn. There could not be a better example. The great group of buildings to which honor is being paid tonight, the noble work that has steadily grown each decade, each year, indeed, had their beginning in the throb of the heart of a Sister of Charity [Sister M. Emiliana] sixty-five years ago. Not fifty years - sixty-five. For, while this Gold Ball of Saint Mary’s celebrates the half centenary of the Hospital’s founding, the movement that made it possible began fifteen years before. Saint Mary’s Hospital started in 1882, but it did not rise out of the air by chance or good fortune. It was the outcome of faithful, thoughtful work and service that had its inception in 1867 when in a single room (or if may have been two small rooms) down on Clinton Street the Sister of Charity we have spoken of above, alone, single-handed, with only her faith behind her, commenced caring for the destitute sick. Who shall say that a cloud of heavenly visitants did not guard her, that she was not so guided that her little work grew info a great one? The story of the years that followed would make it seem so. For the one room (or two) grow, as time passed, info a female hospital, very useful and able for its time, and then, of a sudden, the way opened, a great, ideal site was found for a mighty institution, and means quickly came to hand to finance its beginnings and to build up a medical and surgical staff that could not have been bettered. Three figures stand out as the shining lights, the real founders of Saint Mary’s Hospital. The Sister of Charity, Sister M. Emiliana, Bishop John Loughlin, the first Bishop of Brooklyn, whose keen eye and forethought chose the block of ground on which Saint Mary’s stands and who raised Sister Emiliana’s efforts to the nth power. Dr. John Byrne, to whom the curative skill and success of Saint Mary’s is due, who began with high standards, who realized his ambition from the days the hospital’s doors were opened, “The best staff that any hospital possibly can have, every man with me better fitted for his work than anyone else could be.” Do you wonder Saint Mary’s Hospital has grown as it has? It has been blessed beyond all measure. Tonight the spirits of the three great founders are with us, the saintly Sister who took the first steps of all, because of her pity for suffering, destitute womanhood, the grand old Bishop who saw that money to buy ground and to build was forthcoming, the splendid, able, internationally famed (he was all of that) surgeon, whose foundation was “Saint Mary’s from the doctors’ standpoint shall be the best of all.” December 17, 1882. One of the great dates in American philanthropy, practical science and institutional work. On it “Saint Mary’s General Hospital” (as it was first named) opened its doors. It had grown out of Saint Mary’s Female Hospital, incorporated in 1868, at first located at 247 Clinton Street, then on Dean Street. The proceeds of a great fair or two in the old Academy on Montague Street very early in the seventies had carried it along. It would be a poor old world without vision. Bishop Loughlin had it. In 1878 he came to Saint Mary’s Female Hospital, called a meeting of women there. To these women he said, simply, that he had discovered a fine block of ground in what was then Brooklyn’s scarcely known hinterland, bounded by Saint Marks, Rochester and Buffalo Avenues and Prospect Place. He mentioned the sum if would cost, an incredible number of thousands. “We will build a great general hospital there,” he said, “a new, mightier Saint Mary’s. It will rise from this.” He mentioned more thousands for the new building. “Will you do it with me?” he asked the women. “Dr. Byrne and Sister Emiliana are to go with us, be our guiding forces.” There was but one voice-in the meeting. “Bishop, we will,” everyone said. And they did. They did their work of raising funds so quickly that on October 18, 1879, the corner stone was laid. The first building, the Hospital’s start, ran 165 feet on St. Mark’s Avenue. It had eight general wards, and it is proof of the spirit of forethought of the founders in setting standards always, to list that four of these were for charity patients. 617 patients were treated the first year. The admirable ambulance service, much admired by many metropolitan hospitals, was installed in 1883. “Under the charge of the Sisters of Charity.” Saint Mary’s first trustees, the record fells, were: the Rt. Rev. John Loughlin, D.D., Bishop of Brooklyn, the Rev. E. J. O’Reilly, John J. Kiernan, John D. Keiley, Jr., Dr. John Byrne, James Clyme, Sisters Ann Alexia, M. Anselm and M. Loretta. Sister in charge, Sister M. Emiliana. * * * * * Enshrined in poesy. In the story of Saint Mary’s Sister Emilianna perforce stands out so vividly that it is no wonder her deeds inspired some one skilled in verse. We must not let this tribute go by. It was written some thirty years ago [circa 1902] by no one else than the always to be depended upon Dr. John C. Macevitt. “The Hospital Sister” he called his vision; Sister Emilianna was “the sign and the cue” of it and its inspiration. The Hospital Sister In sombre garments dressed Symbols of an inward grace With noiseless step, you tread Misery’s dwelling place The maimed, the sick, the blind, Gathered from God knows where Stretched on their narrow cots Your pitying comforts share Sweet is the tone which soothes The fever heated brain: And gentle the touch which draws Sleep in the wake of pain Sister! thus I see you toil From early morn till night. Lowly, meek, submissive, Strong in your Master’s fight. * * * * * Six Sisters of Charity have been Superiors, rulers of this wonderful domain. Sister Emiliana staid at her post for thirteen years, out-living Bishop Loughlin. Today Sister M. Dorothea reigns. Many years in the Hospital, she was chosen Superior and Treasurer in 1927. Wise executive force, a keen sense of humor, a charm in her contacts, have made her of supreme value. All of this must be said. In between were Sister Stephen, 1895-1915, Sister M. Loretta, 1915-1918; Sister M. Margaret, 1918-1926, Sister Clement Maria, 1926-1927. Albert Tansey Killed By Auto on Bridge St. Salem Evening News, January 1, 1944 While on his way to work at the municipal garage New Year’s morning, Albert F. Tansey, 52, of 12 Planters street, was struck by an automobile and was pronounced dead on arrival at Salem hospital where he had been taken by police in the ambulance. The accident occurred at 7 A. M., at the junction of Bridge and Planters street. The operator of the car, William H. Carroll, 71, of 148 Burrill street, Swampscott, told Registry Insp. James Ward he was proceeding on Bridge street toward Beverly at about 20 to 25 miles an hours. He said that as the car was about opposite Planters street Tansey ran from the sidewalk and was struck by the left front of the automobile. Police picked up one of Tansey’s gloves near the center of Bridge street. A tobacco pouch and a pipe stem were found near the westerly curbing. Tansey was the husband of Jennie Druce (Bliss) and son of Annie (Moran) and the late Francis H. Tansey. Surviving him are his wife, mother, two sons, Francis Jr., and Maurice S. Bliss, both of the U. S. Army; one grandson; one brother, J. Harold Tansey of Medford, and one sister, Mrs. Phillip Lane of Melrose. His funeral will be held from the Immaculate Conception church Tuesday at 9 A. M. Daily Evening Item, August 31, 1948 Patrick I. Tansey, widower of Mrs. Margaret B. Tansey of 18 Stanley Terrace, died last night at his home after a long illness. Born in Ireland, he was a resident of Lynn for 58 years. Retired from the General Electric Company, he was a member of General Sanger Camp, United Spanish-American War Veterans and the George Washington Court, Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters. He was also a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church. He leaves a son, Edward Tansey of Lynn; a sister, Sister Emelianna Gertrude of the Monastery of the Visitation, Brooklyn, N. Y.; and a grandson, Robert Tansey of Lynn. The funeral will be Thursday at 8:15 AM from the Garrett J. Wall Funeral Home, 103 Johnson Street, followed by a solemn requiem mass in St. Patrick’s Church at 9 o’clock. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. From Visitation Monastery historical records Circa 1953 Abridgment of the life and virtues of our dear Sister M. Emilianna Gertrude Tansey, deceased in this Monastery of the Visitation of Holy Mary of Brooklyn, N. Y., Sept. 1. 1953, aged 87 years 4 months and 4 days; of religious professional 58 years, 9 months and 4 days, of the rank of choir sisters. “A little thing is a little thing but fidelity in little things is a great thing” St Augustine. Attention to the “little things” was one of our dear Sister Emilianna’s principal characteristics. Nothing seemed too small for her attentive care and consideration, whether this was a point of rule or matter regarding the work connected with the Archconfraternity of the Grand Honor, of which she had charge for many years, or anything else that involved a duty or a principal. She had come to the United States from England in the year 1880, at the age of fourteen; but her birthplace was the town of Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland. At first meeting, it would not be guessed that she was a native of the “Green Isle,” unless one had seen her titian tresses. This fact may have been the result of the years spent in Great Britain. But she still retained the love for her native land and the strong faith which is its usual accompaniment. She lived thirteen years in America, in what has sometimes thought to be the most American part of America, Boston and its suburbs, when she applied for entrance to our community. Our sister used to tell us that her announcement of her intentions to enter the convent had the effect of a thunder-bolt on those who knew her. They had thought her too fond of the world for such vocation. Her elocutionary talent was recognized and well known. She seemed to please the world and the world pleased her. But the Rev. Michael Sheehan, C.S.S.R., gave a mission at the “mission church” in Boston. Our “Sara” attended it, and after this all was changed. She never forgot the preacher nor the sermons that he preached. Later on when this famous missionary came to Brooklyn our sister urged our dear Mother Mary Loretto Regan, of happy memory, to ask him to preach a retreat for our sisters. We learned then how well the effect they must have had on Sara Tansey in 1893. On the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Dec. 28, 1893, our dear sister was received into the Novitiate by our dear Mother Mary de Sales Callanen, then superioress and Sister (later Mother) Mary Loretto Regan. A little more than a month later she was joined by our dear Sister Mary Charles Boromeo Marshall, who was her companion during the trials of the beginnings of religious life, received the holy habit with her on third of November, 1894 and made holy vows with her on the twenty-eighth of November 1895. We should like to say that these two continued their course together to the end, but the good god willed otherwise. They did celebrate their Silver Anniversary together, but more than ten years before the fiftieth milestone was reached, Sister Mary Charles had departed this life, and Sister Emilianna Gertrude celebrated the event without her companion. In the meantime Sister Emilianna passed as aid, then as officer through the various charges of this monastery, beside teaching some classes in the school. For a time she taught elocution, a brance for which she was eminently qualified; but finding that it reminded her too strongly of her life in the world, she begged to be excused from continuing this subject. The subject of religion made a stronger appeal and gave her the opportunity of instilling into the young hearts a love and zeal for the missions, especially for the Holy Childhood Association, the propagation of the faith and the “guard of honor.” The children well remember how, when waiting in line, she made them repeat over and over; “Savior of the World, save Russia.” Several years of our dear sister’s religious life were spent in the charges of the Infirmarian, some as Sacristan and some also as Mistress of Novices. In the infirmary she closed the eyes of several of our dear sisters, notably those of our regretted Mother Mary Loretto Regan. But the time was coming when she would no longer be able for the difficult charges, when she, herself must be cared for. There was the general weakening of old age combined with a heart condition which required rest and assistance. Our dear sister was more than four score years of age, and on the way she had met another companion who would travel the rest of the journey with her. This was our dear Sister Francis Agnes, only months younger than she but three years later in monastery. The two were taken to the choir in wheel-chairs for mass and Holy Communion, for extra ceremonies and for sermons or conferences. We anticipated that when death should come to one of our invalids the other would soon follow; nor did we consider it might be long in coming, since both were octogenarians. Life held nothing for them in a human way, except the little satisfactions coming from the remembrances of the “friends of long ago” and the kindness of those who surrounded them. From our dear Sister M. Emilianna there were frequent messages from devoted nieces [included Elizabeth Josephine Wall] and nephews and a few cousins, especially Miss Irene Tansey, who was so good to buy a splendid sewing-machine for us after our sister’s death. There were also her two cousin-priests, the Rev. Fathers Thomas and Edward McDonough, of who remembrances at holy mass she was always assured. And there was her faithful friend, the Rev. John Mahoney, O.S.A., who so often offered the Holy Sacrifice for her, and expected her prayers in return. These prayers were continually offered by her, not only for her friends but for all the intentions of the Holy Church, the institute and the faithful departed. Those who cared for her used to say “she is always praying.” It seemed, as a sister who frequently wrote her letters said in one of them, that the good God kept her alive just for this. But the creeping paralysis left us under no illusion. The Angel of Death was approaching. The extreme heat of the letter part of August 1953, seemed to hasten his approach and kept us alert. Sister was still conscious but extremely weak. She had received all the helps of Holy Church and was just waiting for the end. All the fear of death, which she had formerly experienced, seemed to have faded away. What was then our surprise to be called hastily, on the morning of the first day of September, to the bedside of our dear Sister Helen Perpetua, who had been found unconscious and had only time for the last absolution and anointing before breathing her last. This was but a few hours before the death of our dear Sister Emilianna Gertrude which also took place on the first day of September. Both our dear sisters shared the same obsequies and we trust that both are enjoying the same Beatific Vision. Our sister Emilianna Gertrude was in the eighty-eighth year of her age and the fifty-ninth year of her religious profession. R.I.P. From the Archivist of Sisters of Charity January 26, 1998 Mary Ann Tansey was born on March 29, 1857 in Ireland. Her father was Patrick Tansey and her mother, Sarah Brady - both born in Ireland. Mary Ann attended both National and private schools in Ireland. She entered the Sisters of Charity of New York on May 12, 1884, at the age of 26 and, as Sr. Mary Anselmo, was missioned to the Orphan Asylum in Jersey City from 1884 to 1906. Sister was then sent to St. Agatha’s Home (an orphanage), Nanuet , NY. While her first two missions were orphanages, she was probably teaching for she was next assigned to Sacred Heart School, West New Brighton, Staten Island, NY, where she taught 3rd grade (boys and girls) from 1908 until 1929. She was then sent to St. Joseph Asylum in Brooklyn. In 1934 she retired to live at St. Patrick Villa, Nanuet, NY. She died on January 19, 1939, of pneumonia at St. Vincent’s Hospital, NYC, and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn. There is a note that her burial at Holy Cross was at her request. That is the cemetery where Sr. Mary Emilianna [not Sister Emilianna Gertrude] was buried at 1894. At the time of her death there were two relatives listed: Michael Tansey, 446 Grove St., Newark, NJ, and Patrick Tansey, 18 Stanley Terrace, West Lynn, Mass. |
