Catherine Eddy
Feb. 7, 1818-Oct. 20, 1893
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, October 25, 1893, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Obituary
From the Daily Star of Tuesday.
The death of Mrs. Catherine Eddy, which occurred at her home, corner of Broadway and 5th streets, on Friday afternoon last, touches the hearts of so many of the readers of the STAR that we cannot let it pass without a more extended notice than we gave in Saturday's paper.
Mrs. Eddy was born in Riga, N.Y., in 1818. She came to Niles in 1871, from Chicago where Dr. Eddy had filled a long and successful pastorate. Her genial manner, her large hearted sympathy, which was not circumscribed by denominational lines, her quick appreciation of kindnesses shown to her or to her friends, made her a general favorite with all classes from the first. It was a common remark that "to know Mrs. Eddy was to love her." The death of her lamented husband ten years ago, was a terrible blow to her in her advancing years, but with steadfast christian faith she rose superior to her sorrows and instead of weakening it seemed to strengthen her trust and to enlarge her sympathies. For three years she has suffered from partial paralysis which confined her to her room most of the time. But we are assured by those who were privileged to see her frequently that her interest in the church, in her friends and in the progress of the world at large was unabated. She spoke cheerfully of her approaching end, and with the eye of faith she looked beyond the veil to the mansions that were being prepared for her. All of her children--one son and five daughters were about her during her last hours; several of her grandchildren also were present.
The funeral was largely attended at the Presbyterian church at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon and she was tenderly laid away in a grave made bright and attractive with flowers which loving hands had provided. She was litterally [sic]surrounded and covered with flowers. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Eddy, of Grand Rapids, with others from abroad, were in attendance at the funeral.
Niles Republican, Thursday, October 26, 1893, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Mrs. Alfred Eddy
Died, Friday, Oct. 20th, at Niles, Mich., Mrs. Catharine Eddy, widow of Rev. Dr. Alfred Eddy, a former well remembered and greatly beloved Pastor of the Niles Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Eddy was born at Riga, N.Y., Feb. 7, 1818. She was married at Holly, N.Y, Sept. 17, 1839. Twenty-two years ago, she came to Niles, and many remember her then in the prime of her womanhood. Dr. Eddy was one of those grand brotherly men, whose life was Christ-like; whose memories are handed down from one generation to another, embalmed in all hearts. Mrs. Eddy was a worthy wife of such a man, sympathizing earnestly with him in all his pastoral work. By her gracious and genial cordiality she seconded his efforts and won all hearts. Their nearly half a century of married life was replete with happiness. In their ideal home were reared six children, one son and five daughters, all of whom survive to treasure as a priceless heritage the virtues of their honored parents.
Mrs. Eddy was educated at LeRoy Female Seminary--afterward Ingham University--and possessed a cultivated intellect, with an appreciation of everything lovely in life, nature, art or literature. But that which most impressed all was the gentle strength, the intense sincerity of this "elect lady." Her whole life was the unfolding of a nature rich, pure and rarely noble. Out of the terrible sorrow of her bereavement ten years ago, she came as gold from the refiner's fire and brought a sympathy for all sufferers, a firm faith in Heaven, and a certain something one might call a serenity of holiness. It illuminated her face, impressing the lives that touched her own. For the past three years she has endured great bodily weakness, living almost on the border of the spiritual world. Now that she has gone her hosts of friends grieve exceedingly.
A little before sunset, at the close of that calm autumn day, the clouds which had covered the heavens suddenly parted and the golden rays of light streaming through the window, threw a halo of glory, like the smile of God, over the face of one of his chose saints. To the loved children, all of whom where watching so tenderly about that bed, it seemed as though the door of heaven had been opened to receive her ransomed spirit, for while the light yet lingered her life went out.
Her funeral was attended the following Sabbath by a large concourse of sorrowing friends, Rev. J.G. Lowrie, Pastor of the church, conducting the services. Loving hands had lined the grave with flowers and evergreens and as the flower-ladened casket was lowered therein, it seemed robbed of its terrors.
Buchanan Record, Thursday, October 26, 1893, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Catherine Eddy, of Niles, mother of Mrs. E.L. Hamilton and Miss Frances Eddy, of that place, died at the home of Mr. Hamilton, Friday afternoon.