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Oldest Irish illegal, in US since 1920s, dies one month shy of citizenship

Josephine Stout ‘always believed she was an American’ says granddaughter


Josephine Stout
Josephine Stout
Photo by Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune

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"What did I know about being from Ireland?" said Stout. "I don't even have an accent. I have always said, 'I am an American, period.'"

She was forced to collect cans as Irish government officials, alerted to the case, tried to find her original birth certificate.


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7 Comments

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GOD LOVE HER. IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE SORRY DAY SHE WENT THERE, THE POOR WOMAN!!!
This was a beautiful article, but it made me sad. I wish, they could have helped her in her time of need. Like she said: She was an American. What else could she have been? I wish I could have just hugged her and told her: It's going to be alright my lady... Sigh
May the Archangel Michael greet Josephine with open arms ..
I am sorry to hear this.
So sad, i remember reading the earlier story about her situation and being excited for her to finally go through the citizenship process, even though she is already American. As she said, she grew up here, she's got the American accent and has little recall of her birth in Ireland - such a shame she didnt get to go through the ceremony which would have sealed it for her and been a lovely memory for her family - would be cool if they could go ahead with the citizenship and let her granddaughter stand in for her - just symbolic of what her great grandparents would have felt going through it. Would be a nice gesture - close the circle, etc.
I'm sorry to read about her death. I read the previous article about Josephine Stout. She was a hard worker and a very responsible lady. What a shame that she couldn't receive any assistance at 90, after losing her daughter. May she rest in peace, now.
There must be one or two posthumous awards this late, great lady merits. Irish-American of the Year and the cover of Time Magazine would be a nice salute to someone of such resilience,
 




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