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Archiver > GenMassachusetts > 2004-06 > 1086819718


From: "BBFFRRPP" <>
Subject: Edith RICE, Arlington Librarian, d1943 - Cause of Death ???
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 18:21:58 -0400


Hello,

My great-grandmother, Mrs. Louise (RICE) KIDDER, had only one sibling, a
sister, Edith Crosby RICE. Edith never married, and living in Arlington
for some 52 years, where she was also the Children's Librarian for 25 years.

I have wanted to find out more about Miss RICE for some time, and finally
got around to sending a letter to the Arlington Library. A very helpful
person in the Reference Dept. sent me several pieces of paper offering
information on her. Edith died the year before I was born, so I never met
her. And, even though I lived in my great-grandmother's farmhouse as a
child (HUTCHINSON Farm, Winchester), I don't remember anyone discussing
Edith Rice too often.

Upon her death, an article was published in "the Arlington Advocate" (1943)
and it is quite nice and very informative:

"Heroine of Peace"

"Today, quite naturally, our minds are turned towards the heroes and
heroines of war and, justly, our admiration and appreciation go out to them.
The passing of Miss Edith Crosby Rice brings back to us the fact that there
are heroes and heroines of peace, not the victims of conquerors, of a
man-made hell, but people who have been the victims of what is called an
unkind fate, who have nevertheless comported themselves as bravely, as
cheerfully, as uncomplainingly, as nobly as any heroes and heroines of war.

For 25 years Miss Rice served as children's librarian. She served
faithfully, understandingly, and lovingly. Many a young man and woman
will remember the friendly care with which she helped them to choose the
books they would most enjoy.

Then she had to give up her position because of an unusual malady which made
further service impossible, and for many years, until last Saturday, when
she was released from the slavery of a tormented body, she was a helpless
"shut-in." ......."

This morning I sent an e-mail to the Arlington Town Clerk, and just asked if
I could find out Edith's cause of death. I received the answer this
afternoon:

"Broncho pneumonia, Terminal Parotitis, and Osteitis Deformans.

It appears that Miss RICE was an ..invalid.. for the better part of 10
years (1932 to 1943). I checked my "Collegiate Dictionary," and it
says that "Parotitis" is an inflammation of the parotid gland (Mumps).
I looked up "Osteitis" and it is an inflammation of the bone, and I assume
that she had "deformed bones" because of some disease.

I was wondering if there are any medical professionals on the List who could
tell me what disease or illness might have caused Edith RICE to become an
"invalid" in the 1930's, based on the above information. I don't think
it would have been cancer, because she lived for over ten years after
diagnosis. Would .. Osteoarthritis .. have caused such a serious
problem?

I also was told by the Librarian that Edith RICE was a member of the
Arlington Historical Society, and that she wrote a few articles about the
HUTCHINSON farms which belonged to members of her mother's family.

(These HUTCHINSON's go back to George HUTCHINSON who arrived in 1630 and
settled in Charlestown, in the section which became Winchester. And his
descendants come from his only son, Nathaniel.)

Thank you for your time.

Betty (near Lowell, MA)

FYI: Here is the web site for the Arlington Historical Society.

http://www.arlingtonhistorical.org/index.php

I don't see the quote right now, but I believe I read this morning that
Arlington had the first ..Children's Library.

FYI: During my childhood years living in my great-grandmother's
farmhouse, I also don't remember anyone speaking of .. my great-grandfather.
It was my KIDDER research which let me find out that "Grandpa KIDDER" also
died in 1943, but he had "separated" from his wife, "Grandma KIDDER." He
had decided to return to his home near Calais, ME, and he left her to raise
three school-age children by herself.







"I complained because I had no shoes,
and then I met a man who had no feet."

(loose translation of poet, Sa'di's "Gulistan")








"There are two lasting bequests we can give our children;
one is roots, the other is wings."

Hodding Carter, Jr.



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