The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-03-22
Death of Mrs Aurelia m. Collier.

Death of Mrs AureIia m. Collier.
The passing of Mrs. Aurelia M Col
lier whose death occurred March 16 at
the advanced age of eighty four years
and eight months, removes a pioneer
character of unusual interest. The
story of her life is an inspiring record
of those finer ministries of womanhood
which are the truest story of our Amer
lean home loving character.
Aurelia M. Battay was born in Nor.
wich, Connecticut, August 9, 1888.
Through her mother. Hannah Fillmore,
she was of the seventh generation in
direct descent from Miles Standish of
the Pilgrim colony at Plymouth. Her
father. William Battay, was soldier
In the civil war and gave his life In the
service of his country. Ia her earlier
years of childhood her home was in
Rochester, N. Y, and afterwards
Cleveland. Ohio. At about the age Of
thirteen she came with the mily to
Michigan and resided in Flint until in
1860 when, on her marriage to Geo. w.
Collier, she came to Owosso. Her mar
riage brought to the young bride the
duties of foster mother to the two chill.
dren of Mr.. Golfers former marriage,
Clinton and Mary Alice. The former
of these now resides in Chicago and the
latter is the wife of Mr.. Fl A. Gil.
christ. prominent attorney of Cleve-
land, Ohio .n,s,,e.4s
Two daughters were born of this
marriage, Elsie May, the wife Of Mr..
A. D. Whipple, and josephine, both
we'll known residents of Owosso.
The old Collier homestead, one of the
pioneer homes of Owosso, was located
Oh the corner of Mason and Washing.
ton streets. the property now known as
the Masonic Temple site. Here her
husband had lived from boyhood. Here
he died Oct. 8, 1908, at the same age
that Mrs. Collier attained, having lived
for 70 years in Owosso.
THE young woman Of such fine an.
cestry brought to her new home three
dominant qualities, tireless practic al
industry and inexhaustible sympathy
for every human need and beautiful
contentment of spirit The duties OF
home maker, tasteful housekeeper and
devoi ed mother failed to circumscribe
or limit her overlooking good will. To
care for the poor or nurse the sick OF
the neighborhood. to be the first to
bring help and comfort to the house OF
mourning, these were but opportunities
for her eager spirit and willing hands.
She was q devoted member and worker
In the church. first during her Young
girlhood In Flint and since July 1868
when she transferred her membership
to the First Congregational church Of
| Owosso.
To the making Of those finer element,
of community, it's intelligence, it,
moral standards, its refinement, the
expansion of the spirit of neighborli
ness until 1t becomes the characteristic
of the little city in which we dwell
these are the gifts and services rem
dered by many women of whom Mrs
Collier Is fine example When will
advancing years, busy cares and active
participation In the accustomed inter
ests had to be laid aside. still remained
the quiet beauty of a contented spiri
making radiant the home and neigh
borhood. The last years of Mrs. Col
lier were surrounded by every care ant
comfort that the devotion of her daugh
ter Josephine, could supply by constan
companionship and tender ministry ant
cheered by frequent visits OF her othe
daughter, Mrs. Whipple. and her many
friends. Not even the loss of sigh
which came upon her during her las
year Of life could dim the brightness o
her face or cause single word Of dis
content with her lot. To the last he
one anxiety, was not to be care or
bui den. OF such life as hers IL wa
truly said by the one who loved he
best and knew her best Her life was
continual giving and an unstinted ssc
rifice, as fragrant rs flower with tn
JOY of bestowal" y,
The funeral services, attended by tn
family. including Mrs. q. A. Gilchri'
from CLEVELAND, and by large circl
OF friends, were conducted by her ia,
tor, Rev. b @ Madison. with intel
lment at Oak cemetery March 10.