Middletown transcript., 1920-10-02
IN FOND MEMORY

Nv 1VlvV ulIUlVH
OF Mrs. Mary A. McAleer VIII
Departed This Life
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER nth, 1921
On Monday, September Goth, sorrow
ing group of friends laid to rest in st
Xavier's Church yard, all that was NOR
tai of Mrs. Mary A. McAleer. long {
resident of New York City, but once {,
well-known member Of our community
Mrs. McAleer was formerly Miss MolIit
Craddock, only daughter Of Capt. Bene
dict Craddock. and her childhood Wa.
spent at the family homestead, the
beautiful estate now owned by Mr..
Charles Price. near Warwick, Md. Miss
Craddock was student at the Vista.
tion Academy, Frederick, Md, when
the Civi! War broke out. The school
being closed during that period, Miss
Craddock finished her education under
private tutors at home, later making
her debut into society. Tail and ma
jestic in appearance she was striking
figure in every gathering which she en-.
tered, while her brilliant accomplish
ments and exquisite grace of manner
won large circle of admiring friends.
AS fearless horsewoman, whether as
driver or rider. she excelled; she
played the piano and sang, and for q
time acted as organist and leader of the
choir of st. Francis Xavier's Church:
was singularly charming hostess; 1er
sweet smile and carassing voice capti-
waiting all who came under her spell.
During the Civil War her sympathies
were thrown with the South and she
fearlessly championed its aims, even
when on visits to Northern cities where
advocates of the lost cause ran actual
danger of imprisonment. From the
well-stocked larder of her home numer-
GUS boxes, loaded dainties such as only
Southern cooks know how to prepare,
found their way to the gray-cIad boys
in prisons and hospitals. Her purse
too, being ever ready to further tn.
interests of the Confederacy she so
passionately loved.
Her marriage to Mr.. Hugh McAleer,
a prominent man of New York, though
himself Marylander by birth. was the
death blow to more than one manly
hope, for Miss Craddock was great
belle, and counted many admires in her
train. Although since then a resident
of New York City end Brooklyn, Mrs.
McAleer never lost touch with the
environment of her maidenhood nor her
love for 1.-THE old home." This devo-
tion she passed on to her four gifted
daughters who frequently visited Mid
dIetown where they formed host of
friends. Two of them, Daisy and Carrie
Rose lie in the family lot at ''Old Bo-
hemia," cut off in the fullness of youth.
Their death was heavy blow TO the
mother who had but recently become
widow, yet she bore her burden with
the resignation of one who looks be
yond the things of time to those which
are eternal.
The great war brought forth again the
qualities of sympathy and sacrifice of
her gracious nature. She devoted her
days to the tasks so much in favor
among women, knitting sweaters. he'll !
NETS and socks for the soldier boys and
cheering them with bright personal let
ters. Still virgous in strength, erect
in bearing, "a queenly figure" to quote
the words of one who had but few
months since observed her in a notable |
gathering. one might reasonably predict |
for her many more years of life. Yet
who can doubt that her work was done? |
During the past summer, happily spent |
in the household of lifelong friend |
near Wilmington, she frequently ex-
pressed a desire to die near the scenes |
Of her girlhood, and as if with prophetic |
vision, bent her thoughts more than |
ever upon the preparation for that long
journey. So it was that the accident
which was the indirect cause of her death
appeared but tool in Gods hand to
chisel into rarer beauty character al
ready beautifully nodded by personal
sorrow and loving service. In death she
preserved the appearance of maturity
unmarried by age and the sweet smile |
which had ever been an engaging charm.
The funeral services were conducted |
in the old historic church of St. Francis |
Xavier's, where she had been for years
q prominent figure, Rev. Chas. A.
Crowley being celebrand of the Mass.
To her surviving daughters. Mrs. Fred |
Frecker and Dudley Lee Tenney. both of |
New York, their friends offer deepest
sympathy. while bidding them mourn
not as those without hope, but as for one
who has ''fought the good fight, has
kept the faith and whose spirit has
found rest"
"Where every pulse is thrilling
With rapture earth's sojourners may not |
know;
Where heavens repose the very air is |
stilling
And peacefully life's time toss'd cur
rents flow.
Far out of sight, where yet the flesh in
folds US
Lies the fair country where our hearts
abide,
MI IL