The Strong Family *Pritchard's and Peggie's ashes were of Rochester, New York in the Strong Mausoleum from November 1, 1937 until they were moved to Peggie's by Elizabeth Jeffries family plot, located at Lot 58, Range 3 on (Editor's Note: The author is a stu­ December 21, 1937. dent at the University ofRochester andpre­ pared this essay as part ofthe course require­ Henry Alvah Strong had a very ments flr Religion 167, Speaking Stones, interesting past and made a very successful which is taught by Prof Emil Homerin, future for himself He was the younger of who is also a trustee ofthe Friends ofMount AlVail Strong's two sons but he made a Hope Cemetery.) huge impact not only on Rochester but on I chose to write about the Strong the world. Henry was born in Rochester Mausoleum because I am a member of the on August 30, 1838. He was educated at a Strong family. My grandmother is Ann prep school in Rochester and then at The Strong Family Mausoleum Emerson Strong Garrett, the daughter of Wyoming Academy, where he graduated in stands at the corner ofFirst and Cedar 1858. Henry was married to Helen P. Griffin Pritchard Hopkins Strong. I knew very little avenues in Section MM. on August 30, 1859 with whom he had three about her parents because they died when she Photo by Frank A. Gillespie. was very young, but through research I have children: Gertrude Achilles, Helen Carter, and Henry G. Strong. Following his wife Helen's learned a great deal about how they lived. I Also interred in death in 1894 from diabetes, he married a sec­ chose to write about Henry Alvah Strong and the Strong Mausoleum are: Augustus Hopkins Strong as well, because they ond time on June 14, 1905. His second wife was Hattie (Corrin) Lockwood, and he had a were large contributors to both Rochester and 1904: Helen P. Strong, Henry Alvah stepson from this marriage, Corrin Lockwood. other communities. Strong's first wife 1914: Harriet Savage Strong, Following his education, Henry Alvah The Strong family first made their Augustus Hopkins Strong's first wife Strong worked at the American Exchange appearance in the United States in 1630 when 1914: Millie Hoefler Strong, Henry Bank in New York City and then joined the Elder John Strong arrive from Taunton, Griffin Strong's wife military in 1861, where he mysteriously England on the ship, Mary andJohn, and 1919: Henry Griffin Strong, Henry attained the rank of colonel. When he landed in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Six gen­ Alvah Strong's son returned to Rochester following the Civil War, erations later, in 1821, the Strong family came 1966: Alvah Griffin Strong, Henry he went into business with his uncle, Myron to Rochester. Alvah Strong moved with his Griffin Strong's son (and parmer, John Woodbury), making buggy parents to Rochester, and he began to build 1975: Marjorie Hall Strong, Alvah whips. In 1870, the Strong family became the Strong reputation in the area. He became Griffin Strong's wife a printer once he had settled in Rochester. He boarders of Maria Eastman. Her son, George Eastman, had a gteat interest in photography, also became a Mormon convert during a The following have ashes in and at the end of 1880 Henry invested $1000 Charles Finney revival meeting in Rochester. urns located in the mausoleum: and became president of Eastman Dry Plate Company. He invested additional capital in Nine years after Alvah's arrival in 1917: Maria Ann Corrin 1881, and became tlle public face for Rochester, he became rhe editor and publisher 1938: Margarena Geraldine Strong, Eastman's company. The name of the compa­ of the Rochester Daily Democrat for 30 years, Augustus Hopkins Strong's second wife ny changed eventually to Eastman Kodak which later became the Democrat and *1937: Pritchard Hopkins Strong, Company, and Henry remained ilie president Chronicle. Alvah married Catherine Hopkins Henry Griffin Strong's son of the company until his death on July 26, in 1834, and they had two sons, Henry Alvah *1937: Margaret E.B. (Peggie) 1919. and Augustus Hopkins, as well as two daugh­ Strong, Pritchard Hopkins' wife ters, Kate and Belle Strong. Both sons are now 1939: Cora Strong, Augustus and In 1920, Gertrude Strong Achilles and interred in the Strong Mausoleum located in Harriet Strong's daughter Helen Strong Cartet made a donation in their Lot 85-86, Section MM in Mt. Hope 1952: Hattie Lockwood Strong, parents' name to the teaching hospital at the Cemetery, Rochester, New York. This granite Henry Alvah Strong's second wife University of Rochester medical school. mausoleum was built around 1904 after the 1955: Gertrude Strong Achilles, Another donation was given by Hattie Strong lot was purchased by Henry Alvah Strong on Henry Alvah and Helen P. Strong's to the University to have an auditorium erect- June 24. daughter ed in her husband's name. Hattie made con­ also served on the board of trustees at Vassar The Strongs lived very well, as Pritchard had siderable donations over her lifetime to various College. inherited quite a fonune upon his father's institutions, many ofwhich were places of death in 1919. The Strongs had a winter higher education. These donations include the Augustus married twice during his life­ home in Miami where Pritchard enjoyed deep president's house at Peiping University time, first to Harriet Louise Savage. They were sea fishing, as well as a farm on Aliens Creek (China), a girls' home economics building at married on November 6, 1861, while he was where Pritchard kept a stable of polo ponies, Hampton in addition to their Institute, and home at 2700 East she endowed Avenue in Brighton, beds at hospitals New York. for children in Pritchard was a Washington, member of numer­ D.C. and ous social and spOrt­ Seattle. She also ing clubs in e tablished the Rochester, including "Hattie M. the Country Club of Strong Rochester, Rochester Foundation" to Gun Club, lend money to Roche ter Polo worthy students Club, Automobile interested in Club of Rochester, attending col­ and the Rochester lege. Yacht Club. He was also a member of the Augustus Yale Alumni Hopkins Strong, Association of brother of Rochester, having Henry Alvah graduated from Yale Strong and the in 1929. He was also older ofAlvah the BrightOn Police trong'~ twO Commissioner in sons, was famous in his own right. He was a Strong Auditorium on the University ofRochester 1933 and was a former Brighton County very prominent Baptist theologian of his day campus was one ofmany gifts to the university from Committeeman. In 1934, Pritchard won the as well as president of the Rochester the Strong family. election fot assemblyman from the First Theological Seminary where he had earlier Photo by Frank A. Gillespie. Monroe District and continued to be re-elect­ received his own seminary education. ed until his death in 1937. Augustus was born on August 3, 1836 in living in Massachusetts. She contracted cere­ Rochester, New York and attended Yale bral meningitis in the 1880s, however, and Thomas E. Broderick, a friend of University, where he received his undergradu­ died in 1914. He had four daughters and two Pritchard and Peggie, as well as the Republican ate degree in 1857. He then attended sons with Harriet: Charles, Mary, John Henry, Rochester Theological Seminary (now Colgate Cora, Kate, and Laura. Augustus married Rochester Divinity School in Rochester) Marguerite Geraldine van Ingen on January 1, EPITAPH before traveling to Europe and the Middle 1915. Augustus died a few years later in 1921 Published quarterly by the Friends of East. He then accepted a position in in Pasadena, California. Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, Haverhill, Massachusetts where he was New York 14620, a nonprofit member ordained in 1861. He moved on to Cleveland, Pritchard Strong, born on July 2, 1906, organization founded in 1980. Ohio for seven years where he gained a reputa­ was the son of Henry Griffin Strong and © 2007 The Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery Richard 0. Reisem, Editor tion as having "meticulously prepared sermons Millie Hoefler Strong. His wife, Margaret Jan Wyland, Associate Editor on the great themes of Chrisrian fai th". Emerson Bush Strong, born December 6, Frank A. Gillespie, Photographer Having gained such a sound reputation, he 1905, was the daughter ofJohn Fellows Bush Dan Malczewski, Art Director received honorary degrees from several institu­ and Maude Emerson. Pritchard and Peggie Lucille Malczewski, Editorial Assistant tions including D.O. degrees from Brown, both lived very full lives until their tragic Basic annual membership is $20. Call (585) Yale, and Ptinceton universities, and Litt.D. deaths on August 27, 1937, Pritchard at the 461-3494for a free pocket guide to Mount from the University of Rochester. He was age of 30, and Peggie at 31. They were mar­ Hope Cemetery and a membership applica­ offered the position of president and teacher ried on June 18, 1927 and their daughter, Ann tion. See our colorful and informative web of the Rochester Theological Seminary in Emerson Strong, was born a year later. Both page: www.fomh.org 1872 and stayed there for 40 years, as he had very active social lives, and Pritchard was watched the school thrive. During this time he involved in politics and an avid sportsman. County Leader, said, "Rochester has suffered second landing six miles outside ofAlbany. an unfortunate loss in the death of Following this event, Strong said that he Assemblyman Strong. It has been a terrible would continue to fly, and this led to his and shock to me, as I know it must be to others. A his wife's tragic death. promising young businessman ofour commu­ nity and an aggressive legislator, Mr. Strong's Following the death of her parents, Ann place will be hard to fill. He was a valuable Emerson Strong was placed in the middle of a asset to the Republican Party as he was to the custody battle between her maternal grandpar­ city. In Albany he had made a record in the ents and her paternal uncle. Pritchard Strong lower house ofLegislature which advanced had been a millionaire at the time of his death, him to the front rank of the state's most pro­ and Ann, at nine years old, stood to inherit a gressive lawmakers. His worth as a forward good portion of the money when she turned ENGAGING NEW TOUR thinking citizen was widely recognized. Our twenty-one. There was also a portion of the city and our state can ill afford to lose such fortune given to Peggie's mother, aunt, and CELEBRATES JEWISH ROOTS valuable men." brother. There were also large donations made IN ROCHESTER to Rochester General Hospital and the by Jan Wyland This quote is a good example of the Convalescent Home for Children. Pritchard feelings regarding the loss ofAssemblyman had been on the Board ofTrustees at both On a clear, sunny weekend in June more Strong as well as a description of his positive hospitals. than 75 people experienced the new "Jewish character. The fact that he was elected for Roots" tour of Mount Hope Cemetery, three tetms as a Republican during a time The custody battle was finally won by researched and designed by Friends member when Democrats were winning nationwide is Alvah G. Strong, Pritchard's older brother and Susan Jaschik. The cwo-hour tour was given very telling. Ann's uncle, when Mr. and Mrs. John Bush once each day on Saturday and Sunday, June dropped theit suit. Ann then moved in with 16-17. The deaths of Pritchard and Peggie her uncle, aunt, and cousins: Sally (9), Naney Strong occurred when they were flying from (12), and Betty (16), who she then considered The tour visited plots established by dif­ Saratoga Springs to Albany on a foggy night. to be her sisters. Ann Strong Garrett is still a ferent congregations, beginning with the first resident of Rochester, living on the Aliens The plane crashed, killing all four passengers Jewish communal burial plot (established in onboard. This was Peggie's fitst trip on the Creek property. The polo pony stable has since 1848), where restoration work i currently plane, and sadly, it was her last. The Strongs been converted into a home where one of her underway, and ending at the grave site ofJoel had flown in the assemblyman's private plane sons lives. Bloom (1963-1996), beloved cantorial assis­ to Saratoga Springs ro watch a horse race and tant at Temple Sinai whose memorial stone is decided to fly back to Albany around 12:30 The Strong family has a histoty in the engraved with musical notes. a.m. on August 27, 1937. The weather was city of Rochester as contributors and socialites. bad with heavy fog and rain. The pilot, Each of the members of this family participat­ As the tour progressed, guide Neil Clarence Robinson, radioed the Albany airport ed in Rochester's history in unique ways, and Jaschik, Susan's husband, revealed the history asking to be informed when they were over many Strong descendants are still in the area. of Rochester's Jewish community as reflected the landing field. The plane ended up going Educational facilities especially have been in the stories of individuals. For example: down in a wooded area two miles south of impacted by charitable donations made by Albany, with no survivors. Clarence Robinson, Strong relatives and also by members of the • Myer Greentree (1818-1890) came seeking Charles Judson, and the Strongs were all killed Strong family holding positions of high economic opportunity and became one of the in the crash. authority within educational institutions. The founders of Rochester's clothing industry and mausoleum located in Mt. Hope Cemetery is the Jewish community here. This was not the first instance of only one of the many places in Rochester Assemblyman Strong using poor judgment where family members and friends of the • Morris Seligman (1819-1890) was also a when deciding to fly. Earlier in the year, the Strongs can go to remember those who have prominent clothing merchant. His grand­ Democrat & Chronicle ran an article entitled died. Through research I have been able to daughters, Miriam and Julia Seligman, entered "Assemblyman Strong Safe After 2 Forced learn a history of my family that is not often the University of Rochester with the first small Landings". He decided to fly back from talked about and I was even able to find infor­ group ofwomen students in 1900. Their Albany to Rochester in sleet and snow. mation that my family members did not previ­ mother, Henriette Seligman, helped Susan B. Clarence Robinson, his pilot, took the con­ ously know. Anthony raise the funds required by the uni­ trols as he was the more experienced pilot of versity in order to admit women. the two. The plane's carburetor froze during their trip back, and they had to make an • Alfred Hart (1878-1936) opened a small, emergency landing in a cornfield. They were low-overhead, self-service grocery that he able to thaw the carburetor, but when they expanded to the Harts chain of 100 grocery attempted to fly back to Albany, the carbure­ stores by 1927. Among other philanthropic tor froze again. The plane was damaged in the projects, he founded an organization for • joel Howard Bloom 0963-1996) was, Jewish youth that evolved into today's jewish according to his tombstone epitaph, "Beloved Community Center. Son, Brother, Uncle, Partner, Best Friend. Forever in Our HeartS." A musician in life, • Nathan Stein (1823-1908) was the founder, Bloom receives a single-word, exclamatory with partner Leo Bloch, ofStein-Bloch command on the opposi te side of his grave­ Clothes, an enormously successful clothing stone: "BLOOM!" manufactory. He built the largest mausoleum in the cemetery; it sleeps 20. Many other intriguing and inspiring sto­ ries were shared, offering all who attended a • Lillian Wald (1867-1940) dedicated her life new appreciation of the rich history and to social service, and founded the U.S. important contributions of Rochester's jewish Visiting Nurse Service. community.

joel Bloom was a musician as can be noted on the face ofhis gravestone. Photo by Frank A. Gillespie.

The first jewish communal burial plot in Mount Hope Cemetery was estab­ lished in J848. It is in Section 0. Photo by Frank A. Gillespie.

The reverse face features an exclamatory commmld "Bloom!" Photo by Frank A. Gillespie.

Many ofthe fallen stones in the first jewish plot are in the process of being restored with new foundations. Photo by Frank A. Gillespie. His son, my great grandfather Svitozor My grandfather, IIIya Demydenko, was a Dragomanow, was a professor of economics professor of chemistry and also a staunch sup­ PROMINENT and continued his father's fight for Ukrainian porter of Ukrainian independence, as was his UKRAINIANS independence. His books and pamphlets also family. Unfortunately, his family was brutally BURIED IN MOUNT were circulated in Ukraine. As with his father, murdered by the czar of Russia becau e of HOPE CEMETERY the younger Dragomanow was also declared their political views. The intention was to ''An Enemy ofThe murder my grand­ by JOllluhrtn Mark Carpenter Russian State" by father as well, but the czar and later at the last BELOVED MOTHER & GRANDMOTHER I have four family members buried in by Stalin. Despite moment, he Mount Hope Cemetery that have numerous his exile, he pet­ ANTONINA DRAGOMANOV escaped to stOries that I would like to share with you. sisted in his fight JUNE 20. ~ fEB 28. Switzerland, for the independ­ 1889 ~ 1981 where he later met My great grandfather: SvitOzor ence of Ukraine, his wife, my Dragomanow was the son of Mikhail which he contin­ grandmother. ued until his death in 1958. So, my Just like his great grandfather Antonina Dragomanow, Svitozor's wife, father-in-law, followed in the was afounder ofSt. Mary's Ukrrtinian Orthodox IIlya Demydenko footsteps of his Church and an accomplished artist. wrote panlphlets father, Mikhail Photo by Frank A. Gillespie. supporting Dragomanow, to Ukrainian inde­ fight fot Ukrainian pendence and independence in continued to do exile during both so from his exile world wars and in Switzerland. after he and my Under Stalin, he family came to was again America in 1952. declared an enemy of rhe My grear state because of Svitozor Drrtgomrtnow, a Ukrrtinian grandmother, his compelling immigrant. championed Ukraine's Antonina publications. He independence from USSR. Dragomanow produced his Photo by Frrtnk A. GiLlespie. (spelled writings during Dragomanov on both world wars Dragomanow, a professor of history and polit­ her tOmbstOne), and continued ical science in the capital of the Ukraine, Kiev, wife ofSvitozor his work in and a staunch supporter of Ukrainian inde­ Dragomanow, was America after he pendence from Russia. Mikhail Dragomanow also active in the and his family wrote numerous books and pamphlets that are Ukrainian inde­ immigrated in in the Library of Congress (WashingtOn, pendence move­ 1952. In the D.C.), the Ukrainian Institute of the United ment from the czar U.S., he helped States (New York Ciry), Harvard University and USSR. She [Ilya and Ludmyla Demydenko are buried in to estabJ ish the (Cambridge, MA), and on the Internet. In was highly respect­ this grave marked by a modest wooden cross. They both had Ukrainian insti­ addition, he was a close friend of George ed in the distinguished careers with significant contributions to society. tutes at both Bernard Shaw and the Fabian Movement. Ukrainian com­ Photo by Frank A. Gillespie. Harvard munity because of University and Becau e of his political views about her active participation in so many ethnic New York City. Locally, he was one of the Ukrainian independence, his teachings, and groups. She was influential in establishing St. founders of the Rochester Ukrainian Federal his writings against the czar of Russia, Mikhail Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is Credit Union. He also helped to establish St. Dragomanow was declared ''An Enemy of located on St. Paul Blvd. She was also an Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which The Russian Srare", and he had to flee to artist, especially in weaving, and her works are was initially on Hudson Avenue, but now is Switzerland. Even though he was exiled from at the Harvard Ukrainian Institute and the located on St. Paul Blvd. in West Irondequoit. Ukraine, he continued his work and studies, U.S. Ukrainian Institute in New York Ciry. My grandfather died in 1991 at the age of 89 which were published and distributed in She died in 1981 at the age of94, and her years. He was highly respecred in Rochester's Ukraine. memory is still in the hearts of the Ukrainian Ukrainian community and throughout the community. United States and Ukraine. My grandmother, Ludmyla Demydenko, Tish's great love was gardening and she was born in Switzerland, and that is where she pursued it with fervor. As soon as she retired met my grandfather, IlIya. She was a professor as a psychiatric social worker at Strong, she of architecture, and after emigrating to the devoted herself to it entirely. She immediately U.S., she worked as an architect for the volunteered at the Rochester Civic Garden Rochester City School District for several Center, where she wotked in the library and decades. One of the schools she designed is kept several garden beds on the ptemises for No. 12 School on South Avenue, across from over 30 years. Her husband Jack loved the Highland Hospital. cemetery, which was just across the street from their home. Long before the Friends was even During World War II, she was invalu­ established, he would enjoy walking through able to the Allied Forces. She spoke six lan­ the cemetery. I think he must have been famil­ LETITIA Me KINNEY guages and helped Jewish people both in iar with every inch of the site. He didn't just EULOGIZED AT FRIENDS Europe and the U.S. interpret the markings stroll through the cemetery; he srudied it. He ANNUAL MEETING that had been put on the arms ofJews. In kept track of every monument with a cherub addition, when she lived in Switzerland, she on it, and he knew where many family plots by John Pearsall was able to use her fluency in six languages to were. People could question him about a plot translate for the Allied forces information and more often than not he could tell them (Editor's Note: The fOllowing remarks were coming from the Nazis. In addition, she where it was. Consequently, Jack was one of prepared by Friends trustee, John Pearsall and worked with her father and her husband IlIya, the founding members of the Ftiends. He delivered at the Friends ofMount Hope for Ukrainian Independence. After World War involved Tish by asking her to see if she could­ Cemetery annual meeting, Aprill], 2007.) II, Stalin listed her as an "Enemy of the State" n't starr restoring some of the flowerbeds in because of her political beliefs and information the cemetery, which hadn't been cared for in Almost exactly a year ago at the 2006 she obtained for her father and husband. years. Tish claimed that she picked the small­ annual meeting of the Friends of Mr. Hope est rock garden, bur it wasn'r long before she Cemetery, we honored Letitia McKinney by In 1952, she immigrated to the United had raken on orher plors and recruited many making her an honorary member of the board States with her husband and family and of her friends at the Garden Center to aid her. of trustees for her dedication and efforts for achieved high respect in the Unkrainian com­ For years, Tish could be found at six in the the organization. At the time, Tish could only morning caring for her gardens. She loved to munity in Rochester as she had in Ukraine. respond by saying, "I don't deserve this." She She also helped her husband establish the go to the public market on Saturday and buy said it so often that we finally had to agree plants, so her gardens were always changing. United States Ukrainian Institute in New York with her and say, "Yes, you don't deserve it, r City. She enjoyed and created Ukrainian art, said she never met a plant she didn't like. bur we have given it to you and you will just and there are books of her artwork in the What many people didn't realize, when they have to live with ir." This was typical ofTish. Library of Congress and in New York City. stopped to ralk with her about her garden, was She didn't want any recognition for all her She died in 1986 at the age of71 years, and in that the gardens in Mr. Hope were not the many good deeds. Whenever she did any the Ukrainian community, she left fond mem­ only ones she cared for. Besides at least four favors for anyone or gave anything to you, she ories of her compassion and intelligence for gatdens that she established at the Garden would always add, "Now, don't thank me." her work in World War II and for Ukrainian Center she put in a long border of plants at Yet, on the other hand, she would thank any­ independence, as well as for her published art. the AAUW (American Association of one, even for the smallest favor. She was University Women). You can see the thousand famous for her thank-you notes. When she daffodils that she planted under a beech tree was in the hospital last spring and later in in the front lawn at their headquarters on East rehab at Sr. John's, she kept track of everyone Avenue. She established a butterfly garden at who sent her a card and she sent them a the Burroughs-Audubon clubhouse. She had a thank-you note. She was kept very busy send­ large garden with an enormous number of rare ing cards daily. Tish contributed generously to and exotic plants in the backyard of her house the Friends and gave an annual donation to and when she moved into an aparrment she the fund set up in memory of her husband, asked the management if she could make a Jack. The corresponding secretary would send garden at the front of the building beside the Tish a thank you for her donation to which entrance. They were more than happy to have Tish would respond by sending a thank you her do ir. The border started on a small scale back to her for the thank you. The correspon­ but it wasn't long before she had extended the ding secretary asked me what to do about this garden the whole length of the building. She since she had never encountered a thank you was at her happiest when she was outdoors for a thank you. I told her to leave it at that, working in her garden. In the wimer, she was because Tish always wanted to have the last a hooker. Jack use to brag about this with a thank you. big hearty laugh. In case yOll didn't know, she hooked rugs. Jack, by the way, was a big joker. He was famous for his puns and kept board just wanted to say goodbye to them. We all Now she had two cross-country trips under meetings entertained with them. To that end, breathed a sigh of relief when she was safely at her belt. The next year, she decided to go Tish had engraved on his tombstone, "Thanks home. The following year she let it be known south. This time she would take the train to for laughter." that she was going to go cross-country on the Atlanta and meet her brother there. This train again, but this time to Portland, Oregon. seemed like a safe bet, since it was a shorter Tish approached everything as an adven­ Again, she was going to sit up the entire dis­ trip, so we all wished her well until we found ture. Even the most mundane activities she tance in coach. She would meet some relatives that she would not make a connection with considered adventurous. And things that most ofJack's whom she had never seen. She her train in New York and would be required of us would not look forward to doing, she planned on taking them to dinner since it to wait all night in Penn Station. In my recol­ went at as just another adventure. When she would be too late for lunch. Also, she would lection, Penn Station was not a place you lost the use of her car, she learned to take the have to stay overnight in Portland. We were in wanted to be in in the middle of the night. It bus everywhere she needed to was filled, especially in winter, go. Even though her many with the homeless, the panhan­ friends offered to take her dJers, and an assortment of folks places, she preferred to take whom you wou Id not want to the bus so she could meet peo­ know what they were doing ple. She learned the routes and t11ere. However, I had read that went everywhere by bus, even Mayor Giuliani had cleaned up to rather distant places. the station by sending the home­ Although Tish had traveled less to shelters and scaring off the extensively in foteign coun­ rest of the riff-raff. This hap­ tries, she decided in the spirit pened to be the case when Tish of adventure to see the U.S. up was there seated in the middle of close and personal. Four years the nigh t. However, the secu ri ty ago she announced that she guards took her for a homeless planned to go cross-country by person and were about to hustle train over the Christmas holi­ her off to a shelter until she days. We weren't happy to hear assured them she was just waiting this, but we were absolutely for a train the next morning. horrified to hear she was going The security guards believed her round trip to Los Angeles and and told her they would keep an planned to sit up the entire distance in coach John and Letitia McKinney, eye on her through the night so she was under both significant contributors to the since that way she would be able to meet peo­ police protection the whole time. When she efforts ofthe Friends ofMount Hope Cemetery, ple. All of her friends gOt together and decided got to her brother's, he would not hear of her are buried in Section L. to talk her out of this crazy stunt. She would Photo by Frank A. Gillespie. returning by train and bundJed her off on a hear nothing of it. She would meer an old col­ plane to Rochester. She was amazed how short lege classmate in LA and go to lunch with her a trip it was but still regretted that she hadn't and her family, immediately get back on the no position to oppose this and gave her our had an adventure coming back. train and return the same day. She would not blessing. She had gone to AAA to make a tell us when she was leaving for fear we would reservation in Portland for a hotel room. Tish was an amazing woman. We were put up a blockade to keep her from going. She When she got into a taxi in Portland, she gave certainly fortunate to have her working many took a raxi to the station and was on her way. the driver the address of her hotel. He years with the Friends of Mt. Hope. Her dedi­ We all feared for the worst. We knew the day informed her that the hotel was over twenty cation and support were beyond what anyone she was returning and decided we would meet miles away but that there was another hotel in could expect. She will be missed by all those the few trains coming from the West. She was­ the same chain much closer to the station. He who canle in touch with her through the n't on the first one but she was on the second took her to the closer hotel and even went years. one. She was glowing when she got off the into the hotel and helped her to cancel her train and reported that she had had a wonder­ first reservation and exchange it for the closer ful adventure. She had a very small bag which hotel. He even made arrangements to pick her we put in the trunk of the car. She immediate­ up the next morning at the appointed time ly said she had to go back in the station. We and take her back to the train. Tish always thought she had left a bigger bag on the plat­ used the ploy ofsaying to younger men, form or worse yet on the train. As she was "What would you advise me to do if I were going into the station two ladies were coming your grandmother?" It seemed to work well no out. You would have thought they were long matter whether she was dealing with a car lost relatives. They talked for some time. dealer, a mechanic, doctor, dentist, lawyer, or When she got back to the car, Tish said they the ticket seller or taxi driver. She seemed to were women she had met on the train and she know how to get them working on her side. NEW TREE REPLACES FALLEN FERN LEAF BEECH

Besides being an especially hand­ A grear historic European fernleaf some cree, the silver linden is very hardy beech provided a green backdrop to the Florentine fountain in the north and highly suited to urban locations. It encrance area of Mount Hope Cemetery is a somewhat slower-growing tree than for 160 years. S(lveral years ago, it American lindens, also called bass­ woods. But it can live for centuries. acquired a fungus disease that finally required its removal. Its monumental presence was sorely missed, and the The Friends of Mount Hope Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery Cemetery will dedicate this tree to the decided to replace it. Landscape archi­ memory ofJohn Oack) McKinney tect and Friends trustee Ed Olinger (1921-1998) and Letitia (Tish) selected a replacement tree, which was McKinney (1916-2007), longtime very planted recently. It is a European silver active members of tI}eFriends organiza­ linden (tilia tomentosa). The silver lin­ tion. In facr, Jack McKinney was one of den is one of many species of European tile original founders of the organiza­ lindens that are valued as specimen crees tion back in 1980. A granite dedication because of their size and form. The cree, monument will be placed at the base of with erecr branching and a regular out­ the new silver linden. line that appears to have been clipped, will grow to a height of 60 feet. Its for­ mal oval shape can be detected in the accompanying photograph of the newly planted young cree.

A silver linden tree has been planted near the Florentine fountain to replace a fallen European fernleaf beech. Photo by Frank A. Gillespie.

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