Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-05-28
Mary Freeland Holmes.

The death from heart failure of Miss
Holmes in Cambridge, May 5, was a
great shock to her friends, for though
grave anxiety was felt because of her in
oreasing feebleness there was no appre-
hension of sudden end of her life. Pro-
longed illness or helplessness would
have been a grievous burden to one
whose whole life was spent in minister
ing to others, and it is a comfort to those
who loved her, and whose loss is ire
parable, that the end came 80 peacefully,
and as she would have wished, in the
home life so dear to her.
Inheriting in large measure the mental
gifts for which the Holmes and Rawson
families are justly noted, Miss Holmes
was an eager student in many fields of
literature, and so comprehensive was her
knowledge that no one with whom she
came in contact could fail to be pro-
foundly impressed and influenced by her.
Teaching was to her almost passion,
and even a dull pupil could be stimulat-
ed by her enthusiasm to unprecedented
endeavor.
Many people now prominent in our
own and other states, will remember
gratefully her patience and devotion as
we'll as her admirable ability as teacher
in the academies at Norway, South Paris
and FOxcroft, at st. Elizabeth's Acad-
envy at Augusta, at the st. Augustine
school for boys in Portland, and at Gan
nett Institute in Boston.
After the death of her father, John S.
Holmes, of Oxford, in 1888, Miss Holmes
remained at the family homestead q
number of years, during which Willow
Brook Farm was widely known as de-
lightful summer resort for guests who
needed rest and quiet. People came
again and again, attracted by the hospit-
able, homelike atmosphere of the place,
the most cultured having the keenest
appreciation of the rare gifts of the
hostess, who was ably assisted by her
widowed sister, Mrs. Morse.
Resuming her teaching, Miss Holmes
spent many winters in Boston, where,
with other private pupils, she prepared
many young men for college.
All her life afflicted with spinal trouble,
most patiently endured, she was an in.
defatigable worker and after an arduous
day which would have deprived most
people of all power for mental effort, she
would find refreshment and delight in her
books-English, French, German, Latin
and Greek being by turns her compan-
ions long after the household had re-
tired.
Miss Holmes was as noble in character
as in intellect, self-forgetful, loyal and
benefcent; her far seeing judgment led
young aud old to seek her wise counsel,
Thoroughly conscientious, she had no
sympathy with superficiality and pre-.
tension. Keen but kindly satire, with
quiet. characteristic humor made heI
conversation and writing delight to all
who were privileged to enjoy them.
A member of the Episcopal com
munion since early life, she also Otter
enjoyed attending Unitarian services
The Rev. William Abbott Smith Of
the Baptist church in Deering, persona
friend, conducted the simple private
funeral services at Oxford.
The frail body which had never con
quered the heroic spirit was borne tc
rest by Mr.. Julius F. Fuller, Mr.. Herman
L. Horne, and two nephews, Arthur q
Morse and Edward S. Fuller. Beside
the nephews there remain of the i'm
mediate family two sisters, Mrs. Juliu
F. Fuller and Mrs. Fannie II. Morse
and niece, Miss Agnes q. Fuller.