A Line A Day
JANUARY 1
1940 Mon. Cold day with snow squalls
at intervals. Called on Mrs. Tenney at
hospital and spent two hours at
church helping with New Year's reception.
Learned tonight that Aunt Kate is very ill.
JANUARY 2
1940
Went to office this morning and took
Mother downtown this P.M. The Dutton's came
down today as Mr. D. is seriously ill. Letter
from Phoebe makes me much worried about
Aunt Kate.
1941
1942
1943
JANUARY 3
1940 Tonight went to South wick to hear Ruth
Draper who gave her servies for Polish relief.
Large crowd.
JANUARY 4
Thurs 1940 College opened today.
JANUARY 6
Sat 1940 Very busy polishing off my talk to
Men's Faculty Club. Went very well and I
enjoyed it.
JANUARY 8
1940 Stuart and I drove home to attend
Mr. Dutton's funeral at the Common: very cold.
Stayed for supper with Jean & Bunny and saw
Aunt Kate for few minutes: home in evening.
1942. Very cold day 14° below zero. Had a S.D. letter
from John. Betty has been very ill with grip and he
has also been laid up. Things there worry me. Nina here
for dinner. So cold had to have the electric heater on
1943.
JANUARY 9
1940 Usual day. Evening went to Mrs. Adams
to A.A.U.W. at which Chief of Police Thalacker
spoke. Lock on car froze.
1943. S. D letter from O.B.G. early today to say Aunt
Kate has pneumonia and is very ill.
JANUARY 10
1943. Called home and learned that Aunt Kate
is gravely, hopelessly ill. Went over to see Sister
Collins at the hospital. Will go home tomorrow
if I can arrange to get away.
JANUARY 11
1943. Aunt Kate died at 8:50 A.M. this
morning following a few days illness with
pneumonia. She is the last of that generation in
my family. I Ioved her dearly and shall miss
JANUARY 12
1943 her sorely. This P.M. I met Phoebe at the
train and she and E.U. & I drove home Aunt
Kate lay in the old parlor from which so many
of us have gone to their last rest. She looked
JANUARY 13
1943 lovely with the flowers which she so loved all
around her and the candles symbolic of her faith
burning at her head & feet. The funeral was held today
at Hardwick and we have laid her beside Uncle Jack.
JANUARY 14
Sun 1940
Mrs. Underwood's for buffet supper
1943. A beautiful day. I slept late and woke finally
to brilliant sunshine and 10° below zero air. Went
to cemetery and helped Jean, had lunch and
returned here late in the P.M. Found letter from
John.
JANUARY 15
Mon 1940 Busy day - thawed in A.M. Went to
dinner at Prof. Pooley's and afterward
to "The Neighbors" at Klifa Club to hear
"The Admirable Crichton".
Very slippery.
Someone banged
into back of my car.
1943
JANUARY 16
1940 Finally bought new fur coat at
Simpson's: sable-dyed muskrat. Very cold
tonight. Weary and do not see how I can
get ready to go to Wash. D.C. by noon tomorrow.
JANUARY 17
1940 Interview with Mr. Carpenter from Vt.
Tax Dept. Had to pay 8.00 more tax on salary
8.16 + on Life Insurance premiums. Flew
to N.Y. on plane: left 7:45 - arv. 9:20. Sleeper to
Washington.
JANUARY 18
Thurs 1940 Arrived Wash. early. Went to Dodge
Hotel, then to conference at Labor Dept. Lunch
and dinner with Ruth Chalmers. Very
cold in Wash. & some snow.
JANUARY 19
1940 Conference con. Lunch & dinner with Ruth
Shepard. Saw Mdme. Gilecoff. Had blood test.
Went to White House evening: received by Mrs.
F.D. & speech by F.D. Saw Mrs. Kerr, Franklin
et al.
JANUARY 20
Sat 1940 Confrence all A.M. Went to Ruth's office
got medicine for blood etc. Took Ruth S. & Ann
Jenkins to lunch at W.&L. WPA party at
Ruth Chalmers and dinner at Leta's Took
sleeper to N.Y. Slept very little.
JANUARY 21
Sun
1940 Spent day with John and Betty and went
to St. Francis Xavier Church with Betty. She is not
very well. John a bit more hopeful. Took 9:15 P.M.
train for home. N.Y. very cold.
JANUARY 22
Mon 1940 Arrived at Essex Jct. to find 6 in.
of new snow. Home by 6:00 AM. Bath and
breakfast: then to office: Busy all
day. Colder tonight. A.T.S. not very well.
JANUARY 23
1940
Very cold today. Busy at office. Enjoying
my new fur coat. Should go to Alumnae
meeting but too cold and have accounts
to do.
MARCH 1
1942. Mother died peacefully today at
2:07. John and I got up about 1 A.M. and
watched with her until she slipped away
MARCH 2
1942. Today was a sad and empty
one in spite of many duties. John and I
went down to select the casket and take some
flowers, Mother looked younger and so peaceful
MARCH 3
1942. Robt. Paterson offered to drive us home
this P.M. We spent the night at Jean's which was
a comfort. Everyone is very kind and the
flowers continue to come in great profusion
MARCH 4
1942 A big snow storm in the night and
wind today. The church was a bower of
beautiful flowers and we left dear
mother covered with them. Back to B. tonight.
MARCH 5
1942. John and Agnes stayed over. She left
at noon for Springfield, Mass. and he
went via sleeper tonight. I feel very much
alone and miss Mother at every turn.
MARCH 7
1942. Went back to work today but have
little zest for it being weary in body &
spirit. What changes may come - I hate
to think ahead.
OCTOBER 25
Wednesday - Not so cold. - Sunshine.
1939 Finished packing and bro't Mother
back to B. for winter. James drove Phoebe
black wagon down loaded with canned stuff
bags, potatoes, apples, etc.
OCTOBER 26
Thursday.
1939
Rained all day
Returned to office. Cold better.
Charles here for dinner.
OCTOBER 27
Friday warmer - windy - cloudy.
1939. Ladies of Faculty - Annual Meeting
First Council Meeting of year.
James Harper in De Goesbriand Hospital
Jessie here for lunch.
NOVEMBER 22
1939 b. to Jean Martin & Joseph Tomas West
Joseph T. Jr. 7 lbs. 9 oz.
DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve.
1939. Called John & Betty this eve.
and had nice chat with both. Our box
arrived Sat. & John reports that the cookies
are all gone already.
Monday DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day
1939. Fine day. Up early to get breakfast and
have time to open gifts which were many and
very nice. Quiet day, just Mother and me
but very restful.
1940
1941 Mother and I alone today. We got up late
and Mother sat in the bay windows while I
opened the gifts. She is very frail today and
we missed John but he called at noon.
1942 At Jean's for Christmas. Up early and went
to Aunt Kate's for mass and later to dinner.
Bunny went but had to go back to bed. Later
Bessie & Mary Letta & Mary Root called.
Tuesday DECEMBER 26
1939 James arrived tonight for a
two day visit en route home and then
to Boston: Elspeth also returned which
was a pleasant surprise.
Wed. DECEMBER 27 Very cold day.
DECEMBER 28
1940
John and James arrived on
the sleeper this A.M. Had a very nice
day together. Mother enjoys John so
much and had a grand visit with him.
DECEMBER 29
1940
James drove my car to East Hill and
bro't Harriet back here. She is in a very bad
nervous condition. He took her back with him
to N.Y.
DECEMBER 30
19 Still foggy today. I went to the
office
Sunday DECEMBER 31
1939. Did not go to church but went to
hospital to cheer Mrs. Tenney up and then
up to M. F. to see Mr. Dutton whom I
found very sick. I am afraid for him.
Monday MEMORANDA New Year's Day
1939 Tried to finish up Christmas
letters today, went to De.G. H. to see
Mrs. Tenney and
MEMORANDA
John W. West married to
Bettye Florence Walcott
Dec. 21, 1940
Divorced -
MEMORANDA
Patricia Belle Wright, married to
Donald L. Meyer, Sept. 3, 1946
James Arthur Wright married
to Ruth Dorcas Cook June 30,