Whitcomb, Dora Wilbur 1875-1902

WHITCOMB, WILBUR

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 3/3/2014 at 09:02:03

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
June 1902

MRS. DORA WILBUR WHITCOMB

On Saturday June 14 at eleven o'clock a.m. the beautiful and bright life of Mrs. Dora Wilbur Whitcomb was ended. But a few brief hours before she was in the enjoyment of perfect health and in excellent spirits. At eleven o'clock on Friday evening her husband was awakened by her moans, to find her unconscious with pain. She had made no previous complaint, indicating that the pain was sudden and severe. Medical aid was summoned but it was of no avail. In a few hours the end came, and Grinnell loses a bright and lovely young woman, the embodiment of youthful grace and beauty, of rare accomplishments and sweet disposition. Dora Wilbur graduated from Iowa College in 1896, an excellent scholar, an accomplished musician, and as lovely and sweet in character as she was beautiful in person. She taught afterwards in the academy at Nora Springs where she won the hearts of her pupils by her careful scholarship and her natural sympathy for and with them in their work. In 1899 she was united in marriage with Professor S.L. Whitcomb since which time her home has been in Grinnell. Though most closely identified with college life, she became a leader in the social life of the city, and through her work in the Sunday School and in the church choir she widened her circle of acquaintances endearing herself to wall who came in contact with her. Her death is a sad blow to her husband, to her relatives and to a large circle of warm and intimate friends who loved her with a depth and a sympathy that comes to but few. The sorrow of the community is deep and sincere, for a woman true, pure and earnest has passed away leaving a vacancy that cannot be filled and a grief that time cannot assauage. Her heritage is the example of a noble, unselfish life whose impress will be felt as long as friendships endure and love is.

The funeral was held yesterday morning at the home of H.H. Robbins, conducted by Professor Noble and Professor Parker. The little child by whom the deceased woman gave up her life was nestled softly in her arms, its life also gone out. The burial was in Hazelwood in a grave strewn with flowers by kind and sympathetic friends, and amidst loving regrets and tears the noble woman and little daughter were consigned to mother earth to await the resurrection dawn.