SOPHIA SHELDON HAS PASSED ON.

In the afternoon of this past Sunday, May 23, at 4 p. m., the spirit of the body of Miss Kopaea L. Sheldon [Miss Sophia L. Sheldon] left this life at her residence in Iwilei, Honolulu, at 46 years old; she was born in North Kona, Hawaii, on the 15th of November 1850, by Henry L. Sheldon and Hanna Sheldon; she has brothers and children and grandchildren and much family and friends who she left behind who are grieving for her with lamentation.

She was before the royal court most of the days of her life; she was a beckoning mother, and she gave her help to those who were in trouble, and was a welcoming and caring friend, and a fine mother to her family.

During the time when the government was warring against Koolau, the hero of the jagged cliffs of Kalalau, she composed the mele, “He ohohia nui, Nou a e Koolau,” and so forth.

She was a patriotic mother, and she lay to rest indeed attired in patriotism.

The Aloha Aina newspaper joins with all of her family in their commemoration and sadness for her, and hold aloft the memories of her patriotism for the land. Aloha Sophia.

[This obituary most likely was penned by Kahikina Kelekona. The English here pales to the Hawaiian original.]

(Aloha Aina, 5/29/1897, p. 6)

Ke Aloha Aina, Buke III, Helu 22, Aoao 6. Mei 29, 1897.