OBIT: Mary Ann McCREA, 1861, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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DIED.

  On Sunday evening, the 17th inst., Mrs. MARY ANN, wife of Chas. R. McCrea, 
of Altoona, in the 48th year of her age.
  Suddenly and unexpectedly the stern messenger came amongst us, and snatched 
away from our midst one of the brightest ornaments there.
  Little did the writer thank when he began the services on that calm Sabbath 
evening, that ere he should conclude, one of the most attentive of his 
audience would quit the prison house of clay and become the companion of 
spirits in an eternal world.  But before the closing song of praise had died 
away, there was one less worshipper on earth.
  The deceased had left home in the evening apparently in her usual health, 
to attend the regular services in the Baptist Church, where among the first 
she took her accustomed seat.  When the introductory services were almost 
completed, she arose and passed out of the house in company with a young lady 
living in her family.  The general impression in the minds of the audience no 
doubt was that some slight indisposition had caused her to retire, for 
nothing unusual had been noticed in her manner or appearance.  In short time 
however a messenger entered and communicated to some of the audience the 
intelligence that Mrs. McCrea was dying.
  Several persons passed out and the minds of all become somewhat excited 
with the idea that something unusual had taken place.  Consequently the 
services were rendered as brief as possible and the congregation dismissed.
  What was our surprise when at that moment a messenger brought the tidings 
that the vital spark had fled.
  We have since learned from the female companion who retired with her, that 
after leaving the church door, with much difficulty, and by the assistance of 
her friend she reached the house of Mrs. Cauffman, near by, to which place 
Doctors Christy and Findley and her family were summoned, who did all that 
could be done to alleviate her sufferings.  But human skill and sympathy 
could not stay the shaft, and in about half an hour after she left the church 
her soul had taken its flight.  She retained her reason and was able to 
converse with those around her almost to the moment of her dissolution.
  It is the opinion of at least the Physician with whom we conversed on the 
subject, that her death was caused by disease of the heart, which may perhaps 
have been making its inroads for months past unknown to the decease or her 
friends.  
  Thus suddenly from this world of care has been called one who was esteemed 
by all.  In her death the poor have lost a benefactor, the friendless a 
sympathizer, and her now bereaved companion one who was all a wife should be.  
While her motherless children may well say each to the other:
  Come nearer, brother, nearer,
    And sit beside me here.
  The day is slowly fading,
    And twilight's shades draw near,
  The cloud of grief is keeping
    Its shadows on our brow,
  And mists have gathered o'er our hearts;
    We have no mother now.

  No mother now to bless us;
    We've laid her down to rest,
  And all our joys seem buried,
    Close folded to her breast.
  The vacant chair upon the hearth,
    The hours that come and go,
  All seem to whisper sadly
    We have no mother now.         A.H.S.
                                   Altoona, March 23, 1861

Altoona Tribune, March 25, 1861