Sunday's Obituary - Margaret E. Cortright

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” Another well spent life is at an end in this life, the Master’s summons calling home the soul on last Thursday evening about 7 o’clock.  [Died: December 22, 1905]

Margaret E. Cortright, who had resided with her daughters, Mrs. E.H. Berdan and Miss Louise Cortright at their home on Lewis Street was born at New Fields, [Newfield] Tompkins County, New York, Jan 28, 1833 and during her long life had been remarkably healthy, never having passed through a siege of sickness. She had always led an active, busy life and on Thursday evening was engaged in clearing up the supper dishes when she suddenly fell upon the floor, almost before aid reached her side her spirit had taken flight. Doctors were called at once, but only could pronounce it heart failure. Mrs. Cortright came from Holland Dutch ancestry, her great-grandfather being born as his parents were crossing the sea. Her people settled in Orange county and later the family spread out over into Tompkins County. She was the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Puff. Two sisters, one of them older than her, and one brother remain of her parent’s family.  In her young womanhood she married Joseph Cortright of Danby, N.Y. Four children blessed their wedded life, the daughters with whom she resided, and two sons, Frederick F. of Brooklyn, N.Y. and William Cortright of Whitestone, N.Y. Her husband was called from her association some twelve years ago. Since her widowhood, she with her younger daughter, Miss Louise, have maintained a home. Practically speaking, her Christian experience has been life-long, always bearing in her heart a strong abiding love for things spiritual. In early life she united with the Presbyterian church at New Fields (sic), but in later life her children having united with the Methodist denomination, she too, withdrew from the Presbyterian church and united with her children, their home church being the well known Washington Square M.E. Church in Fourth street, New York City. The funeral was held Friday evening, at the home of Lewis street, Revs. Mr. Barton and McAllister officiating. The remains were taken to Brooklyn on Saturday morning for interment in Greenwood cemetery, where a committal service was held in the chapel. Thus endeth a life well spent; a loving wife, a revered mother, a kind and sympathetic friend and neighbor, who leaves as a legacy to her dear ones memories of a past useful and loving mother’s life, having that they might live and daily presenting to her children example of earnest and Christian life.