Ruth McNamara 1903-1940

MCNAMARA, COOK, GUIBERSON

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/17/2020 at 07:44:06

June 27, 1940 - The Anamosa Journal

Mrs. John W. McNamara, 37, prominent Anamosa woman, died unexpectedly at St. Luke's hospital in Cedar Rapids at 9:30 a.m. from streptococcic throat. Infection developed following an operation Sunday night for the removal of a chicken bone from her throat.

Mrs. McNamara had undergone the operation and appeared to be in good health when the complications developed. It was Sunday at 8 p.m. while the family was having a lunch of creamed chicken when she swallowed the bone, which was about the size of a thumbnail. She noticed it immediately, and was taken by Mr. McNamara to the office of an Anamosa physician.

Upon being advised by the physician that he could do nothing toward removing the bone, and that Mrs. McNamara should be taken to a city hospital, St. Luke's hospital at Cedar Rapids was called and a Cedar Rapids specialist told to prepare for the removal operation.

Mr. McNamara rushed his wife to Cedar Rapids where everything was in readiness at St. Luke's hospital.

About 1 1/2 hours were required to perform the operation with the use of an oesophagealscope. Mrs. McNamara seemed to be little the worse for the experience. Upon the recommendation of the doctors, it was decided, however, that the patient should stay in the hospital for the rest, and go home Monday afternoon.

Mr. McNamara went home for the night, and the next morning left for Maquoketa on business, planning to return to Cedar Rapids that afternoon. Upon his arrival in Maquoketa, he was told that he was to call St. Luke's at Cedar Rapids.

He was informed by an official there that his wife had taken a turn for the worse and that he should come to the hospital immediately. When he arrived and was informed of the seriousness of Mrs. McNamara's condition, Mr. McNamara called her brother, Dr. Donald Cook, Chicago, Ill., who came to Cedar Rapids, accompanied by one of the leading throat specialists in Chicago, who collaborated with four Cedar Rapids doctors.

Combined efforts of all of the specialists proved fruitless, however and Mrs. McNamara died Wednesday morning after complications from one lung developed.

Funeral service will be a requiem high mass Friday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's church in Anamosa. Rev. Clair Drummy, Peosta, and Rev. Clarence Drummy, St. Anthony, uncles of Mr. McNamara, and Rev. H. J. Krieger, will be in charge of the rites. Burial will be made in Holy Cross cemetery at Anamosa. Catholic choir will sing at the funeral.

Mrs. McNamara, who was well-known around Anamosa as a mother and business woman, was a member of the Catholic ladies' guild and the Cornellian club. She managed McNamara's boot shop for the last two years, while Mr. McNamara was working on the road for the United States Rubber Co. Mrs. McNamara was active in numerous business and social activities.

Mrs. McNamara was born Ruth Marietta Cook, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. K. Cook, Los Angeles, Calif., on a farm near Elwood, Clinton county, on March 12, 1903. She attended grade school at Elwood and Delmar and was graduated from Maquoketa high school in 1922.

After gaining her teaching certificate at Coe college, she taught for two years at Hopkinton, from 1922 to 1924. While there, she also took some work at Lenox college. From 1924 to 1927, she taught in the sixth grade of the Anamosa public school.

She was married to Mr. McNamara on June 9, 1927 by Rev. M. F. Eardley at Mercy hospital chapel in Anamosa. Two children were born to the couple. They are Donald Joseph, 11, and Kathryn Elaine, 8.

Survivors are her husband, children and parents, six brothers and one sister. Brothers are Harold, Edmund and Alfred Cook, all of Portland, Ore.; Herbert Cook, San Bernardino, Calif.; Dr. Donald Cook, Chicago, Ill.; and De Lloyd Cook, Dallas, Tex. Mrs. Allen Guiberson, Dallas, Tex., is the sister who survives.

Devaney's Funeral home, Cascade, is in charge of arrangements.