Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1909-05-25
DEATH OF MRS. TESTER
MISS STELLA WHITEHURS1
A Former WelI-Known Pianist of
Phoenix.

The New Orleans Times Democrat
contains the following account of the
death, last Tuesday, of Mrs Charles
Tessier, better known in Phoenix as
Miss Stella Whitehurst, who was for
long time a prominent figure in local
musical circles.
Miss Whitehurst came here when
quite young about eighteen years ago.
She was a niece of Malcolm McNair. a
former real estate dealer of this city
The Times-Democrat, which also prints
large portrait of Mrs. Tessier. says:
Under circumstances particularly
pathetic, and just thirty-six hours af-
ter being taken ill. Mrs. Charles A
Tessier. ST., was laid TOD rest yesterday
afternoon. and another of New Orleans
most prominent and admired women
was gone forever.
The news of Mrs. Testers death
came as a distinct shock to those who
knew and admired her. Just two days
ago, on Sunday, she was in almost per-
feet health, and although they had
been apprised of her sudden illness on
Monday, the thought of its being in
any way serious was not given any
consideration. Mrs. Testers mother
Mrs. Clarence Whitehurst, was taken
i'll during the early part of last week,
and on Friday last she died During
this time Mrs. Tessier had been her
most devoted nurse, a constant attend
ant at her bedside and her companion
during her last hours, and it was in
this manner that she contracted the
illness which proved so rapidly fatal
When, on Monday morning, just two
days after her mothers burial, she took
to her bed, it was thought to be the
effect of the severe blow that the death
of Mrs. Whitehurst caused her, there
being deep and tender bond between
the two which transcribed the usual
filial affection. But, as she soon de-
veloped alarming symptoms, Mr.. Tes-
sier Immediately summoned several
physicians, but despite their concerted
aud able efforts, she rapidly grew
worse On Monday night, she rallied
to some extent, and her family grew
more hopeful. but. later. she again sank
quickly. and at 3 o'clock yesterday
morning, perfectly calm and conscious,
she closed her eyes and passed away.
The funeral services were held at
O'Clock yesterday afternoon, conducted
by DIR. Beverly Warner, and only a small
proportion of her large host of friends
being in attendance.
Mrs. Tessier, formerly Miss Stella
Whitehurst, was born in Galveston,
Tex, thirty-four years ago. the daugh-
ter of Clarence Whitehurst and Mar
garet McNair. On both sides of her
family she was descendant of old CO.
lonial stock. Her parental grandfath-
err Colonel Whitehurst, was an officer
in Washington's army, and her mater
nal grandfather was an officer in the
confederate army, and was killed at
the battle of COrinth. Her grandmoth-
er was the first president of ST Annals
Home, of this city. and her other rela-
tives of prominence included Colonel
Snyder, of Galveston, and Mrs. Octave
Morel, of New Orleans When a girl
of twenty years, she came to New
Orleans, and here added to her already
highly cultivated musical talent by
study under several local artists. While
possessed of other varied accomplish
ments, music claimed the major part
of her attention, and she soon gave evil
dence of striking ability in this direc-
ton. She showed great versatility in
her numerous compositions, being sue
cessful in both classic and popular