Crosley, Gladys Whitley (1883-1924)

CROSLEY, WHITLEY, HEMINGWAY, CALL

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:02

Webster City Freeman, Webster City, Iowa, Monday, September 15, 1924

MRS. CROSLEY PASSES AWAY

Mrs. Varick C. Crosley Dies Suddenly After a Lingering Illness

FUNERAL ON SUNDAY

Prominent Woman Dies at her Home in This City

Following a lingering illness of some eight months, Mrs. Varick C. Crosley passed away Friday afternoon at the family home, corner of Des Moines and Elm streets. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the home, conducted by Rev. Dr. Drake, of the Episcopal church in Fort Dodge.

The passing of Mrs. Crosley came as a distinct shock both to the family and relatives and to the city at large. Though in poor health for months, she had not been confined to her bed except at short intervals during the past few months. Last February she went to Chicago where she took treatment from eminent specialists. She spent several months there and returned home with a nurse who has been with her ever since. She was up and about in her home and elsewhere most of the time, however, and her always cheerful and gracious disposition was an outstanding characteristic until the end. Wednesday she suffered a sinking spell and again Thursday evening, when it became apparent that death might be near. All was done for her that medical science could, and the family, relatives and loving friends bent every effort to her comfort and ease. She sank steadily Friday however, and passed away at 3:45 o'clock, surrounded by her family and immediate relatives.

Miss Gladys Whitley was born Oct. 20, 1883, in Traer, and therefore, was not yet quite 41 years of age. The parents, Dr. and Mrs. F.E. Whitley, moved to Webster City while she was still an infant and Webster City had been her home ever since. Her father, a well known and widely successful physician, died some years ago. The husband, three children, mother, a sister and brother, and two aunts, all of this city, survive. The children are Mary Eleanor, a student at Ferry Hall, Lake Forest, Ill., and Carleton and Virginia, at home. Mary Eleanor arrived home at noon Friday. The mother, Mrs. F.E. Whitley, is a past president of the State Federation of Women's clubs, a member of its national committee and prominent as a conservation worker. Mrs. Max Hemingway is a sister and G.C. Whitley, the brother. Two aunts, Misses Leona and Myra Call, are retired teachers in the University of Iowa and the State Teachers college. The family has always been prominent in the city and state, the husband being a former president of the Iowa Abstractors association and widely prominent in business circles generally.

Mrs. Crosley, from early childhood, had been prominent in musical circles and at the time of her death was a member of the music committee of the State Federation of Women's clubs, a position she had held for years. She was equally as active and as prominent in civic and social circles of the city. Despite her weakened condition, during her illness, she made it a point every day to be up and about the house with the family. Only last week she attended a function at the Outing club where she played the piano accompaniment for her daughter, Mary Eleanor, and sister, Mrs. Max Hemingway. Her family and her friends were always very dear to her and her quiet, wholesome graciousness in the home and elsewhere made her sincerely loved by all who knew her.

She was always a brilliant student. She was graduated from the Webster City high school in 1898 at the age of 14 years. She went from there to the University of Iowa, from which she was graduated four years later. In both the high school and at the university she was an unusual and remarkable student. While at Iowa City she won the Frank O. Lowden prize for scholarship and several prizes for her work in French and Greek. She also was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Kappa Gamma, both national scholarship sororities. Besides her unusual work in scholarship, she was also prominent in all college activities - a leader not only in scholarship, but in outside activities as well.

Returning to Webster City, she was elected to a place on the high school faculty and for two years taught Latin here. The same delightful graciousness that always marked her home life was apparent in her school room and high school students loved her as they love few teachers.

She was married on Sept. 15, 1906, to Varick C. Crosley, since which time the Crosley home had always been noted for its cordial hospitality and the true and wholesome kindliness of its hostess. Husband and children were the pearls of her life and the home life of the family was an ideal one in every way. While the most of her married life was given over to the duties of her home and the rearing of her family, yet she found time for her music work and a ready activity in the social and civic life of the city. She was particularly prominent in the club life of the city and was one of the founders of both the Harmony club and the Seven O'clock club. She was always active in any forward movement in the social and civic activities of the community and took a large interest in social betterment and in her music. Early in life professed religion and while at the University of Iowa became identified with the activities of the Episcopal church.

During her last illness Mrs. Crosley suffered much. Her patient fortitude and her always cheerful spirit were a marvel to those about her. Her body racked with pain much of the time for weeks past, her sweet graciousness to those about her was wonderful - a remembrance which will always be cherished by the husband, children and other relatives about her sick room. Her passing brought a feeling of sadness to the whole community and a deep sympathy for those who were near and dear to her.