St. Ninian's Cemetery Stone #3 Mary Shea Dimensions: 3’4” x 1’6½” x 2” Orientation: East Inscription: IN MEMORY OF MARY SHEA WIFE OF THE LATE JOHN THOMPSON DIED MARCH 5 1880 AGED 82 YRS May she rest in peace Material: marble Condition: In good condition though eroding significantly at the top. Moss appears on the inscription and on the back. Mary Thompson (née Shea) was born c. 1798 and married John Thompson, a native of Antigonish, in 1824. He was the son of John Thompson, a native of North Ireland, and one of the earliest settlers in the Antigonish region. John Jr. purchased a house, store, and lot of land before they were married, and then in 1825 purchased another on Church Street. Mary had eight children with John – William, Elizabeth, Robert, Margaret, Mary Ann, Walter, Alfred, and John (III) – but her husband died prematurely in 1837 leaving her with little property, means of income, and a brood of children to feed. She did nonetheless manage to survive another 4.5 decades after her husband passed away. Mary Shea’s tombstone features a large willow tree carving at the top of the stone, which is a traditional symbol for mourning. There is also a cross nestled in the branches of the willow. David Algee (edited by Christopher Greencorn) [ Back ]