1899

Helen (Mrs. Warren C.) Kendall was born in Somerville, Mass., May 27, 1881; she died of a heart seizure on the train between Boston and Washington, October 4 as she and Warren were on their way to Sarasota. There is space here only for outstanding facts about her life.

Helen was a perfectionist, a natural leader. Thus in the Southland, land of beautiful flowers, she was active in garden clubs, president of Indian Beach Circle. When the First Congregational Church was founded ten years ago she and Warren were charter members, and she became chairman of its first music committee, and first president of the Women's Fellowship. From childhood she wished to become a superior piano player, and by the time she was married in 1905 she was an accomplished musician, and one of '99's favorite accompanists. Her father's ther's gift, a Steinway Grand, was her prized possession and still stands in the Sarasota home, though after a serious sickness years ago she seldom played. Her Civil War father, Major William Henry Hodgkins, awakened her interest in patriotic organizations. She was once president of New England Women, and from 1956-60 president of the Dames of the Loyal Legion of the United States of America.

Next to her family the thing nearest to her heart has been the Kennebunk Beach home built by her father in 1892. Seventy happy summers she spent there. During the past fifty years Warren's and her three children (Roberta, Bill and Gordon) and their families, including four grandchildren, have made it indeed a family home. Last summer the three great-grandchildren, from five months to one year, began a new chapter of homecoming.

Summer's end came. Said Helen to daughter Roberta, "Seems as if I never want to leave Maine!" A heartfelt wish, almost a prophetic vision, for days later the end had come, suddenly and quietly. She was home again in Kennebunk.

Sunday, October 6, South Congregational Church, Kennebunkport overflowed with family, friends, and flowers of remembrance; roses at every window and each side of the altar. Blanche (Mrs. Ralph W.) Hawkes with granddaughter Debby Tracy, and classmate Leon Martin, brought by nephew Fred Winslow and Martha, represented the Class of '99. Hymns, scriptures, eloquent as any spoken eulogy, then simple rites at the graveside in the family lot at Hope Cemetery.

Son Bill's plane had brought the combined family from Washington in the morning; now in the late afternoon he took them back, with Warren, at his own request, continuing alone to Sarasota. There on the following Sunday, the first of countless tributes: altar flowers from the Women's Fellowship "honoring its first president," and a personal word from the pastor, Dr. John Whitney MacNeil, and the responsive reading of the Litany of the Church.

Warren's loneliness is partly compensated by his memories of almost sixty years of a deeply happy marriage, and by the messages of sympathy flowing in from friends everywhere.

To all of which the Fellowship of Dartmouth '99 adds now its own expression of heartfelt sympathy for Warren and the entire family.

Helen Kendall had long accepted suffering and frustration as a natural part of life. By an inward spiritual adjustment and by courageous, active, useful living she maintained a composure that deceived few, but commanded affectionate respect and admiration by all.

Postscript: Tuesday, October 29, after six weeks in the St. Johnsbury Hospital, Julia Chase, widow of Theodore W. Chase, died. Our deepest sympathy to all the children and family. Further mention of this will be found in the January ALUMNI MAGAZINE.

Secretary, Newbury Rd., Bradford, N.H.

Treasurer Box 87, West Cornwall, Conn.