The Newtown bee., 1892-02-12
WOODBURY.
MRS WILLIAM COTHREN.

Mary J. Steele, wife of William Coth- ren, entered into rest, February 5, at half past II in the forenoon. On the 18th of January, she contracted cold, which developed into a high fever. This, in turn, became complicated with heart trouble. and then the end came quickly. She had been a confirmed invalid for more than 30 years, suffering all the in- discribable tortures of chronic dyspepsia and her enfeebled costitution could not withstand these new attacks. She was the youngest daughter of the late Dr Samuel and Laura (ColtOn) Steele and was born November 7, 1920. Dr Steele was descendant of Hon John Steel of Hartford, first secretary of the Colony of Connecticut. His wife, Laura, was de- scended from Rev Benjamin Cotton, who was settled over the Congregational church at West Hartford in 1713.
 Mrs Cothren was admitted member of the First Congregational church in Woodbury, July 3, 1S42, and immediate ly became active and useful in all church work and so continued till the heavy hand of sickness was laid upon her. But her interest never fiagged dur ing the 50 years of her membership. She was married to William Cothren, Sep tember 3,l949. They had one child, who died young. They had also an adopted daughter, Mary Belle, who married Dr Leander Y. Ketcham and died several years ago. During all the years of her young wolnanhoOd, and early married life, Mrs Cothren was the soul of every movement in social and society matters which promised to be for the public well fare. She had grear tact, not only in planning and executing any work of in- terest to the community but had also the ability to encourage those around her to aid in the desired result. She was never obtrusive, but exercised silent, pervading influence, leading others to give their efforts, almost unconsciously thinking the undertaking and plans were their own. She never took any credit to herself. She was always seeking occa- sions in which she could benefit the poor and distressed. She was the friend of all and all seemed to reciprocate the feeling, No ill word concerning any person ever escaped her lips. She was emphatically a peaeemaker and ever charitabiy oyer- looked the faults of others. In the home circle, she was the devoted wife and mother, carefully studying the comfort and happiness of all. In her religious du. ties, she was sensitively conscientious
 in every way, adorned her Christian pro. fession. She loved her Bible and the
 service of her God; through all her mfr mites and sufferings, her love of tho truth shone with respIendent light
 She read much, thought deeply ard pos
 sessed mind of rare intelligence. Hel , counsels were always thoughtful, wise , and safe. Even during these later
 years, while she has been retired iron the activities of life, she could not re , strain her desire to plan for the gooe
 of her family and the community. Al
 the end of long years of pain and weari ness, she has been called higher and VI
 can feel assured that she is resting iron
 her labors in the paradise of her Heaven
 ly Father.
 She leaves sister-in-law, Mrs Angus ta Perry Steele of Hobart, N. r., tht [ widow of her only brother, Roderick c
 Steele; Mrs Louis (Steele) Curtis Q Southport; niece, Miss Katherine M Woodruff, who has been her constan
 companion for the last l2 years; neph
 ew, Roderick 5. Woodruff of Waterbur, and many other relatives and friends t,
 mourn her loss. Her funeral was attend ed from her late residence, Monday
 February and her remains deposited il the family vault in the South cemetery
 Rev Joseph A. Freeman officiating.