Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Mrs. Ellen McGrath
Washington Democrat
Monday, 27 Dec 1915, p1
DEATH CAME SUDDENLY
Miss Ellen McGrath Passed Away Sunday Afternoon--Short
Illness; Canned Salmon Cause Practically without warning death came to
Miss Ellen McGrath, dressmaker, who made her home with her sister, Mrs.
Mary Healy, 416 Flora street, at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Apparently
in the best of health, Miss McGrath attended the midnight mass at St.
Simon's church Christmas Eve. Returning home, she did not go to bed but
remained up the rest of the night and at 5 o'clock Christmas morning
she left to attend the 5 o'clock mass. Following the church service,
she returned home, still in apparent good health, but at 8 o'clock Christmas
morning she became ill and, notwithstanding the fact that several doctors
were called, her condition became gradually worst until 2 o'clock Sunday
afternoon when the last spark of life faded out. A complication of indigestion
and ptomaine poisoning is believed to have caused her death. Miss McGrath
ate some canned salmon and it is believed this gave her ptomaine poisoning.
Her death robbed many friends of a woman beloved by all. Quite unassuming,
sympathetic and loving, she occupied a warm spot in the hearts of all
who were fortunate enough to be acquainted with her. She was faithful
to an extreme to her church duties and was never found negligent when
called upon to help in church work. Miss McGrath was born on the old
McGrath homestead about a mile north of Cannelburg, Dec 9, fifty years
ago and had been living in Washington with her sister, Mrs. Healy, since
the death of her mother. Mrs. Healy has been in Baltimore visiting but
she has been sent for and is expected to arrive this afternoon on the
4 o'clock train. Besides Mrs. Healy, she leaves the following brothers
and sisters: Mrs. James Kennedy of Montgomery; John McGrath, of this
city; Mrs. Thomas J. Morrison, of Barr Township; Michael McGrath of Barr
township. The funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at St.
Simon's church and interment will be made in St. Peter's cemetery at
Montgomery. The hour will be either at 8:30 or 9, it not having been
fully determined.
Contributed by: Sandra Hedrick Allen