Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-19
OBITUARY.
Miss Ella Sparrow crasin.


 The life that finished it's earthly course on Tuesday, March 5, when Ella Sparrow Cragin, after a few days ill- ness, passed from an active life here into the world beyond had been flied full of unselfish service. So marked has been her devotion to her high standard of duty, that all who knew her felt the unwayering force of char acter which has been shown in all her intercourse with others.
 Sorrow and regreat found general expression when the word was passed from one to another, on Monady, that Miss Cragin was seriously ill. And, later, when her death was announced at noon on Tuesday, there was a sense of personal loss, and of genuine grief in many Colchester homes. Although born in New York City, in Colchester, and she was actively nearly all of her life had been spent indentified with the best interests of the town. As a child, she entered the eighth grade of the public school when the private school where she had been pupil was discontinued; and began her course in Bacon Academy while the late F. E. Brunette was it's principal. Later, she attended Mrs Life's School in Rye, N. Y. That she continued her studies at the Academy, after her graduation at Rye Seminary. 1 taking up one or two branches for which there had been no time previ- I-ously, was characteristic of her atti- l tude toward any opportunity of growth 1 which presented itself all through her l life.G At this time. MT. George N. l Tracy, of Gildersleeve, was the prin- | cipal. Miss Cragin is survived by her mother, Mrs. A. B. Cragin, whose constant companion she has been for many years;e by her sister, Mrs. Geo. rge W. Reynolds, of Hartford; and by her brother, Edwin B. Cragin, M. D., of New York City.
 The funeral services were held at her late home in Colchester on Fri day afternoon, March 8, at half-past
 three, the large company of friends by their presence testifying to the high esteem in which she was held 1 The bearers were Edwin B. Cragin M. D., of New York; Lewis E. Spar row, of PleasantvilIe, N. Y.; Rev. c. w. Reynolds, D. D., of Hartford; S P. Willard, of Colchester; Edward T Bunyan and Edwin R. Gillette, both of Colchester
 The hymns, Sunset and Evening Star" and Master. No Offering were
 sung by 8 quaftette-Miss Ruth B
 Carver, Mrs. A. L. Stebbins, Dr. A. L. Stebbins and B. R. Gillette.
 | Rev. H. A. Blake, pastor of the Con- gregational church and Rev. G. W
 Reynolds of Hartford, were the of- ficiating clergymen The latter aI11ud ed to the alabaster box which had
 been broken, and the ointment poured out for her Lord and Master, and upon this alabaster box one could read clearly Service" this life had beer spent in serving others He spoke especially, of her devoted life "as g daughter, as sister, as friend, and ] above all as a follower of the Lord : Jesus Christ" In her own home 1T
 the Congregational church, of whict she had been a member since her girl. hood days. in the communfty-she fill ed so large and so important place l that it is difficult to think of any O l these continuing without her Never l over confident of her own powers, il was more of an effort for her thar for some people to undertake public
 activities. but so marked was her ex. ecutive ability that she not only hel( responsible offices for years, but wa.
 often asked to assume new duties, a.
 when she was urged to be presiden
 of the Christian Endeavor society thi. year.
 In the Sunday School, as the girl
 Of her class grew older, and left home
 another group took their place. Tn,
 members of her class could be relied
 upon, always, to help in carrying ou
 school programmes. They were loya
 to their teacher, and interested il
 Bible study, many of them becomin, teachers in their turn. here and else where, and it has ever been noticabl that most of them early became mem ' bers of the church, which is one 0 the great tests of successful Christian teaching. Her class confided in heY and felt that she was their friend. Miss CFagin, as vice. president, an as an active president, this winter, 0 the Ladies' Benevolent Society, Urea surer of the Congregational Youn
 Peoples Society for many years, an