Bennington banner and reformer. (Bennington, Vt.) 1903-19??, 1903-09-24
IN MEMORIAM
Sophie E. Park, Who Died Wednesday Evening
September, TO- 1908,

September TO- iyOS.
The announcement in these columns
last week Of the death Of Miss Sophie
E. Park came as a surprise to many
who did not know that she was iii.
Her Death removes from the commun-
ity one of its most respected residents,
one whose ontire life was spent in do
ing goo1 for others, and whose death
will leave a vacancy that it will take
time to FILL
Miss Park was So years Of age last
March She was born in Woodford
the Oldest Of nine children born to
Luther and Cynthia Pratt Park Her
ancestors we're among the early get
tiers OF that town. Her father was
one Of the leading business men Of the
county and for years lived here
With the exception Of ten years passed
With an uncle at Niagara Falls, Miss
Park has resided most of her life in
this village
Her death was caused y pneumonia
and her illness was short The Sat
urday before she died she complained
Of not feeling well. Sunday morning
she attended church and while there
was taken with chill and fainting
spell. She was taken home tut that
evening felt we'll enough to attend
church again. Soon after her return
she was taken III and gradually sank
until Wednesday evening when she
passed away about o'clock.
The deceased was possessed of con-
siderable means a larger part Of her
income being devoted to charity. No
worthy person ever called upon her fJr
help but what had it. She was al
ways looking for people that needed
assistance. For over 40 years she was
an earnest working member Of the
Second Congregational church, long
time teacher in its Sunday school,
and was one Of the founders of the
Guideboard b'aDch.
She was actively connected with sew
eral charitable organizations, aud was
member Of the Bennington chapter
D. A. R.
Miss Park is survived by three sis
ters, Miss Anna c. Park, and Mrs A.
b. Valentine of this village; Mrs ].
A. Cummings Of Huntington, W. Va,
and one brother, Rev. Austin Park Of
Redlands, Cal. She was an aunt OF
Mrs j. g. Mccullough and of Mrs
Frederick b. Jennings
Miss Park leaves behind her the
legacy Of the example of a we'll spent
life. Having been faithful we believe
that she is now enjoying her reward
and of her
% We cannot say and we will not say
That she is dead, she is Just away.
With CHEEKY smile, and a wave q the hand
She has wandered into an unknown land
And left US dreaming how very fair
IL needs must be since she fingers there.
Think OF her still, IS the same We say,
She Is not dead. she Is just away
The funeral was held fror, the Eec-
ond Congregational church Friday af-
ternoou. Thursday afternoon the re-
mains we're viewed from two until five
o'clook-and FRIDAY morning from ten
until twelve, duriug which time a
large uumber Of people called to look
for the last time on one so generally
beloved. The floral tributes from all
classes were many. the easket aad
bier on which 1t rested bsiJ,g covered
with them. AlfVied with each Other
in this last tribute.
The Rev Dr Charles X. Seymour
conducted the funeral services. The
audience room was filed. A quartet
composed of ". D. Forbes, Mrs L. II.
Ross, Miss Nellie CoffeY and A. H.
Hollister sang ."Rock Of Ages, - and
" Nearer my God to Thee, - and Mrs
Ross -sweetIy sang the solo, lone
Sweetly Solemn Thought. =" The re-
ma=Es by the pastor we're q fitting
eulogy to the memory OF q staunch
worker for the church and good of the
community.
The remains we're escorted 10 their
last resting place by many mouFners,
and were lowered into the grave by
". E Hawks, X. B. Godfrey, W. B.
Sheldon, @. E Dewey, W. R. Morgan
and Olin Scott.