Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-11
OBITUARY.
Mrs. Emma M. Mriqht.


 Mrs. Emma NJ Wright, who died on Sunday in New Britain, was the daugh- ter of Francis and Phebe (Watsrmanl Shepard and was born in Hartford, November 27, 1S42. Her fathers family had lived in Cromwell and were connected with many of the old families of that neighborhood. Her great-grandfathers Thomas Shepard and Simeon Penfeld, were soldiers in the revolution and through her great grandmother Mercy (Sears) Shepard, she was descended from Elder Brew ster and several other passengers on the Mayfower. Her mothers homo was in Bolton and through her she was related to the WatermanS, Tracys, Brewsters and other early settlers of Norwich and to many of the pioneers of Springfield, Enfield and vicinity, such as the Chapins, Spencers and Markhams.
 She is survived by her brother. Frank W. Shepard of Bristol, and her sister, Etta F. Belden of Thomas ton.
 Mrs. Mary F. c. 6ar.to~.
 (ContributedD
 The intelligence which reached this city Sunday of the death of Mrs. Mary F. C. Barstow at Lansingburgh, N. Y, brought a feeling of profound sorrow to an unusually wide circle of friends who mourn her loss
 She was the daughter of pr. William H. Cogswell of Piainfield and heir to all tte best traditions of old New England life. Of superior intellect and natural force of character, she was quickly recognized as a leader in the intellectual and social life of her ma tive town. On the death of her hus- band Dr. Gideon Forester Barstow of Boston. she returned to her fathers house and soon entered upon that long
 
 ligious work which commanded the respect and love of hundreds to whom she ministered and which continued in spirit and to slime extent in very deed almost to the last day of her life
 It was a life so unusual, so rich fin good works. in sympathy for every needy soul from the humbIest to the highest, and so directly inspired by Christian love and faith that 1t fs difficult to convey an adequate idea of 1t.
 It first came under the observation of the present writer 33 years ago. when she was in the very fulness of her strength and activity. In those days there was no home so humble and none so high that she did not enter it as an angel of consolation and positive help in every time of trouble. If it was only perplexity about common affairs she was the wisest of counsellors; if it was be- reaVenent and sorrow she was th9 gentIest of comforters; if it was pow erty and sickness hers was the hand which ninistered day and night, if in spite of all death came none so simply and surely cheered the parting spirit by her own triumphant faith. Joined with this, perhaps the sourcs of it was her interest in and love for her church. No pastor could have . more loyal helper; no church could have a wiser or more willing worker. And all was done so simply so ns- turaIiy-she seemed so unconscious that she was doing aught uncommon, that it was difficult often to reaiizs how rare and how great her life real- l ly was.
 On her removal to Norwich, sonne 25 years ago, she became connected with Park church and engaged in those manifold forms of Christian ac tivitv which have endeared her to so many in this place
 Her life here has been the contta :. uation of that begun so long ago; sym pathy and help without stint or meas | ure friendship, true and neverfaiifng, | and love for her churrb and for her Divine Master seldom equalled, more rare still, if ever, surpassed. Though hre departure cannot fan to ! occasion deepest sorrow to the many who loved her, there is mingled with ! it nevertheless. a sense of triumph. Such lives as hers are, in Christ, the true victory of death. O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy vistory.