Emma's Obit

Emma Sophia Tock Shinn was my 2nd great-grandmother.  She died 11 April 1928 "after an illness of some two years" according to he obituary.  When I got a copy of her death certificate back in September, I learned that that illness was breast cancer.  She is the first ancestor (direct or otherwise) I have found who suffered from this disease which now, unfortunately, affects too many.  From the Lodi News-Sentinel (Lodi, CA), 12 April 1928, page 1:

"DEATH CALLS EMMA M. SHINN

    There passed away last night at 9:20 o'clock Mrs. Emma Sophia Shinn, after an illness of some two years.  Mrs. Shinn was born of English parents in Calles, Maine, January 27, 1859, and when 13 years of age, came to San Joaquin county with her father and three sisters, her mother having died when she was but two years of age.
    When but 16 years of age she married Mr. Shinn who was then but 21, and a little over three years ago celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.  Their home has always been on the Shinn ranch, located 3 miles from Woodbridge, and originally pioneered by the father and grandfather of Mr. Shinn.  The union was blessed with three children, Mrs. Mae Bancroft, Elmer Shinn and Mrs. Delmar Detert and seven grandchildren.  Raymond, Elizabeth and Clarence Bancroft, Ruth Atwell, Marilyn Detert, Elmer John Jr. and Everett Herman Shinn.  She was a member of Woodbridge Rebekah lodge No. 258.
    Her funeral will be held from the family home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock under the direction of Hale & Bawden."

Although thorough, the obituary has several typos.  Most notably her birthplace, which was actually Calais, Maine (although a family biography states she was actually born across the river in New Brunswick).

She was interred in the Stockton Woodland Mausoleum in Stockton, San Joaquin, California.  Her gravestone can be viewed here.

Comments

  1. I have maternal ancestors who lived in Calais, Maine, for a few generations. In your 2nd great grandmother's obituary, it is spelled how it is pronounced, so it's not quite a typo, but a phonetic spelling!

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