Capron HallDear Dorothy, -
I expected to come over to you this morning and bring our guest, Miss Smith, from Holyoke to see you for she said she knew friends of yours but alas! a terribly sad thing happened last evening just as our dinner party was breaking up.
Miss Smith went to one of the windows apparently to shut it and then simply fell backwards & died almost instantaneously. We worked over her and got Dr. Thomas over but he could do nothing.
I always feel that it is much the easiest way to slip from this world to the next but of course it is hard to know that we must bring a terrible shock to-day to those whom she has left in U.S.A.
The funeral will probably be about 2.30. We don't want any of you college folk to feel that you have to come but may I ask you to inform all those on your compound.
Will you ask Bryan if he could manage to come and be one of the pall bearers. We know it is a dreadful time to call on Edson so we'll try not to.
I received your note about Kanabu. [?] He had definitely promised us to stay at Woodstock and take care of the house so you need not be troubled about your change.
Yours,
Gertrude
[Change to Dorothy Patton's handwriting]
This note came this morning - November 19th. Ed and I had been invited to the dinner party, but refused on grounds of studying Tamil. I expect to go to the funeral, and will write Mrs. Arnold thereafter. I tho't that the Alumni might like to know something of the service, for I think Mrs. Arnold wrote that Miss Smith had been a long time at Holyoke, and if so, she must have many friends among her former students - - - It's rather dreadful for her family and friends to think of her dying out here, but she went at a moment of busy joyfulness after a full life of worthwhile activity - and that's all I shall ask -
Love -
- PAT -She'll be buried in our cemetery here.