Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-07-22
MRS. HELEN GRAY PARENT.
Death at Kendall Saturday Of a Most
Popular Young Matron.

Death at Kendall Saturday Of a Most
Popular Young Matron.
Died-at Kendall, Mont, Saturday,
July Is, HELEN Gray Parent, wife OF
John NJ. Parent; aged twenty-eight
years, eight months. ten days.
A more sorrowful surprise could
hardly have been received by a large
proportion of the people of Lewistown
than came owe the wire from Ken.
dali Saturday evening at Z o'clock an.
nouncing the death there of Mrs. Hell
len NJ. Parent. Few ever knew that
she a sick and among these not one
believed that her illness might prove
so Immediately fatal. In fact. a per-
sonal friend, who had made inquiry
of the family as late as two o'clock
that afternoon, was assured that her
condition was not considered by the
attending physician TO be dangerous.
But the heart was affected, and with
out previous warning. she had sud-
denly thrown her hands ~heavenward
to meet the summons and her soul
passed through the heavenly portals.
Her husband but a few moments
bNAOlNt sat a Nht bCuOlut tanning Will
her; she was cheerful and gave no in
timation of approaching death. He
had just left the room to eat supper
when recalled, but she had gone: yet
her earthly frame remained.
For several years Mrs. Parent had
found II unhealthful in this climate
and with her two children, Elizabeth,
aged seven years, and John Major,
aged five years, had spent the winters
in Iowa and Illinois. But three weeks
since she returned to her husband at
Kendall for the summer and when
passing through Lewistown, and when
here the first of last week, expressed
herself as feeling in the best of
health. Thursday she was attacked
with pleurisy; Friday the disease a
Tested symptoms of attacking the
heart. but Saturday morning she was
considered much better and sat up
in bed.
Mrs. Parent came to Lewistown
with her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. John
w. Gray and their family, in 1888 and
on of Mrs. Gray's frequent
! and continued illness, had a great por-
ton of the care of the household, to
which she gave the most unselfish de-
| votion, before and after her marriage
to ]. NJ. Parent. November Sth, 1884.
! For two years after coming to Lewis
town she was a pupil Of Mr.. Par
rents in the public schools and after
graduation taught severai terms in
the Cottonwood district and at other
points. Until Mr.. Parent moved to
Kendall. two years since, she was
prominent in social circles, always
popular with the younger set, and,
though her home duties were many,
she gave much assistance in the Pres
byterian church and for several years
was a member Of the choir. Beloved
by her husband and family, admired
by many friends, always cheerful and
ENJOYING a wide acquaintance. it will
be difficult to realize that she has
suddenly been called to her final rest.
Ii is indeed a terrible loss to Mr.. Par
rent and the two children.
The news of the death came to
Judge Cheadle and j. C. Bebb. and
the physician having advised inter-
ment as promptly as possible, prep.
arations we're Immediately made,
Judge Cheadle and his wife and Mrs.
Bebb going to Kendall early Sunday
morning TO accompany the remains TO
Lewistown.
Being a member of the Episcopal
church. the services were held from
that church at 5 O'Clock Sunday,
though on account of the absence of
Rev. Bell, Rev. Pfaus, of the Presby-
terrain church, read the Episcopal SER
vice and delivered the sermon. which
brought tears to the eyes of many.
One of her girlhood friends and
schoolmates. Halsey r. Watson, was
in charge of the ceremonies, in the
absence of Undertaken Creel. and the
%pallbearers were John c. Bebb, Will
w. White. and Prof. ~Busenburg. E. f.
McKechnie.L l.. w. Eldridge and Edmund
| Wright. of the Knights of Pythias,
a double file of Knights acting as a
guard of honor to the remains. The
church was ~bounteously and ~tastefully
decorated with flowers by the ladies
and upon the casket rested a large
panel of pansies. several small bunch
es of white roses sent by intimate
friends and a bank Of clematis and
other flowers.
The last tribute was paid by loving
hands and to the surviving husband,
children and family was rendered the
deepest sympathy.