The Worcester Miscellany
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No. VII-241 -  Linus Ely Worcester - Wife, Luthera's Obituary

Luthera Ladd was born on Apple Creek Prairie, Nov. 25, 1825.  Her parents were Timothy and Deidamina Swallow-Ladd.  The only surviving members of her father's family are T. F. Ladd of East St. Louis and Mrs. E. A. Giller, Whithall.  She was married to George Smith, December 9, 1846.  Two children were born to them, one of whom T. L. Smith, Lawrence, Kansas, survives.  Mr. Smith departed this life, October 9, 1851.  She was married to Judge L. E. Worcester, Feb. 14, 1856.  Judge Worcester departed this life while sitting in his chair, waiting for the announcement of supper, Oct. 19 1891.  He had been sawing wood, came in, picked up a book, took his accustomed easy chair and passed away in the brief interval of waiting the announcement of the evening meal.  Of the five children born to Judge and Mrs. Worcester, three, H. C. Roodhouse; R. S. and Lucy E., wife of M. J. Galhuly of this city, remain.  Mrs. Worcester made her home at Mrs. Galhuly's most of the time, though rooms were set apart for her at each of her son's with the understanding that she had two other homes.  This arrangement was very pleasant and enabled her to prolong her visits longer than otherwise would have been practicable, and illustrated the loving care for her during the last ten years of life.   Her health was very good until about a year ago when she was prostrated by paralysis, from which she partially recovered.  Other strokes followed, some light and others more severe each leaving her less able to resist the deadly attacks.  On Wednesday, May 8, she experienced a slight stroke of paralysis and seemed to be recovering as usual.  At three o'clock Thursday morning, Mrs. Galhuly gave her medicine, when she seemed to be getting along as well as usual.  She returned to her bed at five o'clock and found that life had departed from her, apparently without a struggle or a movement of body.  Her age was 75 years, 5 months and 13 days.  Mrs Worcester was universally loved and esteemed.  Her life was one of faithful devotion to her home.  She had the facutly of attending strictly to her own affairs and never meddled with those of her neighbors and by doing so enjoyed the highest esteem of all.

 The funeral took place from the home of R. S. Worcester at 10:30 Saturday morning and was attended by a large circle of kindred and friends.  Rev. W. H. Cooper preched the discourse and paid a high tribute to her three-fold character as wife, mother and neighbor.  Rev. W. F. Clark Roodhouse offered prayer and the Duncan Sisters sang a number of sacred songs.  Her three sons, T. L. Smith, H. C. and R. S. Worcester, two grand sons, Hal and Stanley Galhuly, and son-in-law, M. J. Galhuly, acted as pall bearers.  The floral tributes were elaborate and oppropriate synonyms of the beautiful life of the deceased.  The remains were laid at rest in the Whitehall cemetery.

 White Hall Register, May 17, 1901

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News Article, Found Dead in Bed

Mrs. Luthera Worcester, widow of Judge L. E. Worcester, was found dead in her bed at the home of her daughter, Mrs. M. J. Galhuly, Thursday morning at 5 o'clock.  She had been suffering with paralytic strokes for nearly a year and on the previous day was slightly disturbed by one and seemed to be recovering from the effects as usual.  Mrs. Galhuly gave her medicine at 3 a.m. when she appeared to be getting along nicely.  At 5 o'clock Mrs. Galhuly returned to the bed of her mother and found that she had passed away.  To all appearances there was no struggle or movement when life departed from her.  The funeral will take place from the home of R. S. Worcester at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.




Copyright � 2001 - John P. Worcester
Last modified: November 13, 2012