Evening star., 1947-05-06

MIS-. EValyn WalSn McLeauS eA-
pressed desire in her will to be
fcrematen was ignored by her family
Iarld advisers because they. believed
her attitude had changed since the
win was drawn last November, the
Rev. Edmund A.. Walsh, S. j., vice
president Of Georgetown University,
said today.
Father Walsh, one of the trustees
TOT the will filed yesterday in District
Court, said the family was unani-
lnous ID opposing cremation.
He said the family and Mrs. Nc
Leans lawyers came to the conclu-
|saon the clause requesting crema-
tion expressed mood of some time
ago.
Father Walsh said Mrs. Mclean
T had told him that If she were dying,
she wanted him to come to her.
The fact that no Catholic priest
could have participated in funeral
services if she were to be .cremated,
Father Walsh added, was an indica-
ton that Mrs. Mclean did not want
cremation.
Personal Expression.
AS for the legal aspects Of the
cremation clause, Father walsh
said that "a phrase like that in the
T will hasn't the same force as legal
distribution of property" He said
lit represented a personal expression
and not a legacy.
Mrs. Mclean was inferred last
week in the Walsh family vault at
Rock Greek Cemetery after Cath
olic funeral services.
Details of the will also showed
that Mrs. Mclean wanted her most
cherished possessions sold II neces-
sary to assure that iner 4-year-old
grand daughter, Mamie Spears Rey-
nolds, is adequately provided for.
Those possessions would include
the Hope diamond, the less-known
but repeatedly more expensive Star
of the East Diamond and her pala-
tial home. Friendship. Under the
terms of Mrs. McLean's will all her
personal possessions, including items
she gave to her sons and daughters
in-law, can be diverted to provide
for Mamie Reynolds until she is Is
and the estate is divided.
| Mrs. Mclean, sole heir of Thomas
Walsh, her Irish-born father who
found gold on a Colorado mountain
side, died April 26.
i Cautioned Executors.
| No estimate of the extent of her
ESTATE will be made until a petition
for probate is filed with the court,
her attorneys said.
Mrs. Mclean wanted her "just
debts" paid, but cautioned her ex-
tecutors '.to investigate the merits
lof all claims filed and bills present.
ed" and to contest the payment of
Iany such bills or claims which in
their opinion are excessive and do
mot constitute debts for which I
am legally liable"
This direction was given, the will
said, "inasmuch as I believe that
many charges made to me and bills
rendered to me are greater in
amount than the sums actually due
from some of my creditors"
The terse sentence: II desire that
my body be cremated' came after
she had directed the executors to
fpay such funeral expenses ''as they
shall approve irrespective of the
limitations for funeral expenses i'm
posed by the Code of Law Of the
District Of Columbia." "
In normal cases, $500 limit for
funeral expenses is imposed on ex-
lecutors.
Special Care for Girl.
Special care was to be taken Of
Mamie Spears Reynolds because
| she is living with me and because Of
I my special interest and concern for
her." the viii said. It then directed
| the trustees to divert, if necessary,
the bequests made Robert Rice Rey-
lnolds. the cflild's father, and Mrs.
McLeans own two sons to provide
! for the girl.
My jewelry may be taken out Of
lsafekeeping ana sold for this pur-
pose" it added.
| Terms of the will, announced sew
leral days ago, provide that her jew
telry and the principal Of her estate
be kept in trust until the youngest
iof her grandchildren Cat the time