On Thursday, September 16th, this community was shocked and grieved at the news of the passing of one of its older and warmly loved members. While not entirely unexpected, coming as it did at the end of several months of failing health, the rapid climax of Mrs. Romeyn’s illness was unlooked for by all but those who were closest to her. Until the Monday preceeding her death, Mrs. Romeyn was in full possession of her faculties and able both to give pleasure to the many friends the depths of whose affection was evidenced in their devoted ministrations to her, and to derive from these contacts the pleasure of visits with loyal, devoted friends and the happy distraction of mind from thoughts and realisations that might otherwise have shadowed long days of lessened vigor.Margaret B. McKee was born at Moriah Center, N. Y. on September 5th, 1863, fourth of the nine children of Margaret Matthews and James McKee. Much of her youth was spent with her maternal grandparents at Jay, N. Y., and in 1883 occured in Keeseville her marriage to Edmund Kingsland Romeyn, who died on March 31, 1924. The children of this marriage are Mary Field and Margaret, respectively, Mrs. Willard H. Baber and Mrs. Rufus A. Prescott of Keeseville; the Rev. Jas. Kingsland Romeyn, Norwich, N. Y.; and Katherine and Barbara, now Mrs. Dominic C. Ashley and Mrs. Edwin H Reese of Glens Falls, N. Y. The twelve grandchildren in these families are Mary Field and Dirk Romeyn; Eugene, Peter and Margaret Romeyn Ashley; Romeyn, Susan, Jane, Chas and John Prescott; and Barbara and Joan Reese. Mrs Romeyn is survived also by three sisters, the Misses Martha and Sarah McKee, and Mrs. Henry McLaughlin, and a brother John McKee, all of Moriah, N. Y., and by nine nieces and nephews.Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. R. S. O’Dell at the Romeyn home on Saturday afternoon a half past two and burial was in the family plot in Evergreen Cemetery. Acting as bearers were six nephews—Fay, Dean, and Robert McLaughlin, and Hugh, Jack and Donald McKee.
Markedly present in Mrs. Romeyn’s personality were several traits of character, the most outstanding of which were loyalty, friendliness, and a joy in living and doing. To the Baptist church, of which she had been a member since her early days in Keeseville, Mrs. Romeyn demonstrated in loving and unfailing attendance and service the depth of her sincerity and devotion. A gift for friendship with persons of all ages gave much joy and help to others and a profound happiness to the giver. The fruits of friendliness and helpfulness were richly evidenced by the loving attentions bestowed by old and young alike during weeks of failing health. The philosophy of life which Mrs. Romeyn exemplified is perhaps best expressed by the following quotation from a poem read by Rev. O’Dell in the course of a tribute paid during the funeral service:
“There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true:
Then give the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
For Life is the mirror of kings and slaves,
’Tis just what you are and do.
Then give to the world the best you have
And the best will come back to you.”
