Community Mourns Sudden Death of Mrs. Elmer McCann

Community Mourns Sudden Death of Mrs. Elmer McCann

Hundreds Pay Tribute At Last Rites Wednesday Morning

On Monday morning the unbelievable new was received that Mrs. Elmer McCann had passed away at the Alice Hyde Hospital in Malone at 3:30 o'clock that morning. The deepest gloom was cast over the community at the death of this most estimable young woman. Mrs. McCann had apparently been enjoying her usual health when she and her husband were guests Sunday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hall on the Malone-Burke road. Late in the evening she complained of nausea. Dr. Alfred Hartman, of Malone, was called and found her in shock. She was taken to the hospital where her conditoin grew worse. Death was attributed to an internal hemorrhage.

Marjorie (Douglas) McCann was born on January 25, 1915, the only daughter of Leon G. and the late Florence (Taubenheimer) Douglas. She was graduated from Chateaugay High School in 1932 and the Chateaugay Training Class of 1933. She attended Plattsburgh State Teachers College summers and received her BS degree from that institution in 1941. She taught school in Malone at the Duane Street School from 1945 through 1947 when she retired. Prior to that she taught from 1933 to 1940 at Bellmont, 1940 to 1943 at Remsen, 1943 to 1944 at Ballston Spa and 1944 to 1945 at Keeseville.

Mrs. McCann was possessed of a sweet sunny disposition, her many charming qualities of kindliness, generosity and womanly grace well fitting her as a leader. If strangers felt the charm of her rare courtesy and joyousness, how much more so the members of her own family upon whom she lavished all the sweet earnestness and careful culture of her mind and nature. Strong and potent was the influence of this loving heart which gave of its gifts so generously.

In 1946 she became the bride of Elmer McCann, one of Chateaugay's most popular and successful farmers. During his recent campaign for Assemblyman on the Democratic ticket, Mrs. McCann was his constant companion and traveled throughout Franklin County during an extensive eight week's tour.

She leaves her husband, her father, Leon G. Douglas, and one brother, Millard T. Douglas, of Albany.

Funeral services were held at St. Patrick's church on Wednesday morning. the Rev. Edgar Gallagher, pastor was celebrant, assisted by the Rev. Clarence Devan, of Burke, as deacon; and the Rev. John Wiley, as sub deacon. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. J. R. McClure, of Saranac, former pastor, was in the sanctuary.

The choir sang the mass, accompanied by Miss Katherine Doige at the organ. Mrs. Dale Mellon was soloist.

Pall bearers were: Albert Seymour, Mr. McCann's campaign manager in the recent elections; Charles McCormick, Chateaugay; Roy Hall, Malone; James, Kissane, Allen Child, Malone; Gerald Barnes, John L. Sprague and John Miles, cousins of the deceased.

Delegations from the Grange, Farm Bureau, County Democratic Club, Jeffersonian Club, and Chateaugay and Malone Democratic Town Committees attended the rites.

Burial was in St. Patrick's cemetery.