The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-12-23
Death of Miss Mary L. Jay.
A Former Assistant Principal Of
the Honesdaie High School
Passes Away in the West.


Passes Away in the West.
From the Fort Wayne nnd.l Sentinel
Miss Mary Laity Jay, long assistant
principal of the Fort Wayne high school
and widely known in both educational
and social circles, died Dec. 10, 1908, at
the Lutheran hospital. Death came as
the termination of an extended illness,
and it will be received as a personal
sorrow, not alone to immediate friends,
but to the countless former students who
in the past twenty years have known
Miss Jaw in school life in Fort Wayne,
and who have gone out from her minis
trations better equipped for what life
might have in store for them.
Miss Jays death was due to tubercu-
lar peritonitis, and the break in her
health began almost year ago. In May
last, six weeks before the close of the
school year, Miss Jay was forced by i'll
ness to abandon work in the schOOlrOOm.
She spent some time in the hospital and
later in the summer departed on an ex-
tended lake trip in the hope that it might
benefit her. Medical skill was pOwerless
to aid her, however, and friends could
do little save to watch the heroic but
hopeless battle with disease. Twelve
weeks ago Miss Jay was removed to the
Lutheran hospital. and again and again
during the intervening time life hung by
a single thread. Death has beenexpect-
ed at almost any moment, but il was
not until early to-day that the end
came.
Miss Jays life was one of singular de-
votion and helpfulness, and the uplift-
ing radiance OF her character, her kind
illness and her ability has illumined a
wide sphere during more than a score of
wears in which she had been identified
with educational work. She was born
in Tanaqua, Pa, in 1854, and when
but mere child her family rem owed to
Cheshire, Conn, and later to Carbon
dale. Pa, where at the age of Ii the
young girl began her work as teacher.
Then she entered Mt. Holyoke seminary
in Massachusetts,. whore she was gradu-
ated, and still later took a degree of Ph.
b. in Northwestern college. Subse-
quently she was assistant principal of
the high school al Honesjale. Pa. and
principal OF the Grammar school AT
Plattsburg. y. V, for short time.
1t was in lSSS, twenty wears ago. tina;
Miss Jaycamc to Fort WAYNE as teach
er oi Latin and History in the Fort
WAYNE high school. Here her helpful
ness. her consideration and her ability
were conspicuously apparent in the di-
recti"n Of the student along higher
avenues OF scholarship. and the mem
nries uf thousands oi vnnng men and
women in Fort Wayne are kindly in the
recollection oi her interest and her e.
forts in their behalf. And in M quarter
is regre. . hsr death mrra pr"tounh
than among the school officials and in
structors vino have been associated with
her In educa'o2a, work.
Mis-. Yay Is survived by two sisters
Mrs. :. II. Havice. 322 West jefferson
street, i'll whose family the deceased had
long made her home, and Miss RATHER
Inc JAY. The deceased was a devoted
member of Wayne Street Methodist
Episcopal church. and though deeply
engrossed in school work, she found
time and inclination to do quietly much
in the way of practical and substantial
lelp along other lines. the true extent
of which has hecume known only since
her illness, When the recipients OF Miss
Jays beneyolence have disclosed the
good works her own retiring nature did
not permit to become known.
The funeral services were held Thurs
day morning at 10 O'Clock from Wayne
Street NJ. f. church, conducted by Rev
Frank Lenig, the pastor, and on account
of Miss Jays wide acquaintance it was
decided to permit friends to view the re-
mains at the church.
In accordance with custom. the flag
On the high school building was placed
ut hall mast, and no session of school
was held Thursday morning.