SNIPPET: Born in Dublin, Ireland, January 17, 1897, Elizabeth Ann (Lily) KEMPSON (Mrs. Matthew McALERNEY) supported the cause of a united Ireland until her death in her adopted home of Seattle, Washington on January 21, 1996, at 99 years of age. At age 14, she was imprisoned for organizing a strike at Jacob's Biscuit Factory, Dublin. She was involved in the trade union movement of the Citizen's Army. She eventually joined the rebel Irish Voluntary Army which evolved into the original IRA. She was the last surviving member of the Easter Irish Rebellion Uprising in 1916. During the week-long siege of Dublin, KEMPSON acted as a courier for Padraic PEARSE and the other men inside the General Post Office, dodging snipers in the process, but once the fighting ended she was arrested and thrown into jail again, only to escape and leave the country using her sister's passport. When she got to the U. S., KEMPSON made her way to Seattle where she married Matthew McALERNEY, who died in 1981. The couple had seven children, Kathleen, who died in 1987, Alice, Matthew, John, James, Betty and Peggy. A grandmother at 42, great-grandmother at 63, and great-great-grandmother of 5 at the time of her death, this feisty grandmother's greatest wish was peace through education of the children of her beloved Ireland. Lily left numerous relatives in Ireland, England and the United States. Two photos of Lily, taken in 1897 in Dublin as a member of the Irish Volunteer Army, and in 1933 with her great-great grandchildren, Kevin and Kyle, the last two of her 116 direct descendants appeared on the "People Page" of the March/April 1996 issue of "Irish America" magazine. She was buried in her adopted home of Seattle. Her obituary read: "Elizabeth Ann (Lily) Kempson McALERNEY age 99. Born in Dublin, Ireland, January 17, 1897 and died January 22, 1996 in Seattle. She was preceded in death by her husband Matthew (1981) and daughter Kathleen McNERTHNEY (1987). She is survived by six children, Alice G. McCULLOUGH, Matthew McALERNEY (Marian), John McALERNEY (Bridget), all of Seattle; James McALERNEY, of Arlington, WA; Betty COGER (Major Jimmy L.), of Lillian, AL, and Peggy LARSEN (Cmdr. John), of El Cajon, CA. She also leaves 42 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren, five gg-grandchildren, a total of 116 living descendants, and numerous relatives in Ireland and England. At age 14, she was imprisoned for organizing a strike at Jacob's Biscuit Factory, Dublin. She was involved in the trade union movement of the Citizen Army. Eventually she joined the rebel Irish Volunteer Army, which evolved into the original IRA. She was the last surviving member of the Easter Irish Rebellion Uprising of 1916. We are all so proud of you grandma Lily. You made us proud of ourselves; we love you dearly, and we'll miss you and your Irish wit, your courage and your feisty spirit. You taught us to love Ireland, but above all to love our own USA. 'Ireland Unfree Will Never Be at Peace.' We love you grandma! Remembrances may be made to Foss Home, 13023 Greenwood N., Seattle, 98133 or to Irish Northern Aid of Seattle to help in their fight to bring peace and justice to Northern Ireland."