Two great supporters of this newspaper have been called home to Christ. One died just recently and the other about one year ago.
Not only were these two women great supporters of The Observer, they were good and faithful servants of Christ, supporters of their parishes, the diocese and servants of the poor.
Both women enjoyed an incredibly long life. Even though age maybe wasn’t so kind to their physical bodies, for most of their lives they remained mentally sharp and focused.
I am fortunate to have known both of these women, and I want to use a little column space to share some information about them because simple lives can be so inspiring.
First, there is Fern Shore who died Sept. 21, 2024 at 101 years of age. Fern was born Sept. 7, 1923, in Sterling, the daughter of George and Francis (Potts) Beckley. Calvin Coolidge was president the year Fern was born. She witnessed incredible historical changes in her lifetime: Prohibition, the Dust Bowl, The Great Depression, and WWII. She also experienced major technological advancements including the invention of airplanes, televisions, computers, and the internet. No one loved being able to Google and use Alexa more than Fern.
Fern married Wayne Shore on June 21, 1947, in Sterling. He preceded her in death on September 23, 1992. They had eight children, 21 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchildren.
Fern lived a full life. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in education. She loved to bake cookies and apparently loved knitting, as dozens and dozens of handmade placemats and potholders were found in her home. She had a passion for volunteering and raising funds for Hope for Haitians charitable organization, where she helped to build more than 17 homes for Haitian families. While Fern did not have incredible means, she would save $1 from her weekly budget and raised money through creative ways to secure funds for the homes, including requesting that people donate to the organization for her 100th birthday in lieu of giving her gifts. In 2023, Fern was recognized with the Ambassador of Hope Award for her contributions to the organization.
Then there is Lucille Brown who died July 27, 2025 at the age of 104. Lucille was the daughter of Wilmer and Minnie (Wolford) Winter, born on Sept. 14, 1920, in Galena. She married Albert Brown on July 15, 1939, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dubuque, IA and together they farmed in rural Apple River until their retirement in 1980.
Many Sunday afternoons Lucille’s kitchen would be the hang out spot for family and friends coming over to visit and eat. She loved chatting and making everyone smile and laugh until their stomachs hurt. She enjoyed quilting and stitching when time allowed. She was a woman of great faith and was a proud member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple River. Lucille enjoyed helping at church and was the Co-President of the Altar and Rosary Society.
She raised seven children and enjoyed 16 grandchildren (two preceeded her in death), 29 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and several nieces
and nephews.
Besides being busy with their families and church activities, the two women still had time to read The Observer and occasionally call our office to talk about an article, suggest a topic to feature or help promote a parish or fundraising event and sometimes write kind and instructive notes regarding the content of The Observer.
Fern was tireless in her support of the poor in Haiti. I was so honored to be seated next to her at one of the very first “Evening in the Tropics” fundraisers to build houses through the local Hope for Haitians project. She was so captivated and motivated by the needs of the poor.
I also had the honor of visiting Lucille in her assisted living complex and occasionally had the privilege of taking her the Body of Christ and praying with her. She always talked lovingly about her family, her parish and Jesus Christ.
I hope you find some inspiration in these brief descriptions of lives well-lived with simplicity and humility.
Thank you, Fern and Lucille, for the privilege of being just a miniscule part of your amazing lives, and I pray I can follow in your beautiful footprints.
(Information used in this column was gleaned from public obituary notices)
