| Coming with a suddenness that sent a shock of regret and sorrow over the entire community, the
death of Mrs. Jane L. Green, beloved county social worker, and wife of Louis H. Green, removed one of the
most active workers for humanity in the county. Death visited this esteemed woman as she lay sleeping early
last Sunday morning. The terrible shock was revealed to her husband as Mr. Green attempted to arouse
Mrs. Green from what he thought was a deep slumber, but instead he found her cold in death.
Dr. A. K. McGrath, who resides next door was immediately called and stated that her condition seemed to
indicate that she had died several hours previous. She lay in a natural position, and apparently had passed
out of this life, as she slept, without the least pain or suffering.
Mr. Green, who occupied the room next to his wife, had occasion to pass her door about 7 o'clock Sunday
morning. A casual glance revealed nothing unusual, and he repassed to his own room and remained until
about 9 o'clock, the hour the family generally arose to prepare for their breakfast on Sunday morning.
When Mr. Green attempted to awaken Mrs. Green, she had passed from this life into that beyond.
Recalling that he had heard a slight noise about 4 o'clock, Mr. Green was of the opinion that his wife
had died at that hour, and this is borne out by the attending physician after a careful examination of the
body.
Mrs. Green died following an acute heart attack, from which she had been a sufferer for nearly 14
years. During the past several weeks her condition had been aggravated by an extreme amount of
work in connection with her Red Cross service throughout the district, and also her services in connection
with a local committee recently organized for relief of the unemployed and needy. On Monday, October 26th,
Mrs. Green suffered a severer attack, brought on by heart complications, and she sank unconscious in [a]
chair while engaged in her beauty parlor here. This attack came upon her about 1 o'clock in the afternoon,
and Dr. E. J. Finnerty, the family physician, requested that the suffering woman be taken to her home for
period of rest and observation. So severe was the attack and so frought [sic] with danger of fatal results,
that Mrs. Green was compelled to remain quiet in a chair most of the afternoon, before she could be taken
to her home. She remained at home the following day and Wednesday. Thursday and Friday she felt herself
able to be about again, and came downtown. She appears in her normal health. Saturday evening, she
expressed herself as feeling as well as ever. But the Death-Angel was hovering near, and sometime during
the night Mrs. Green answered the call.
The body was taken to Bates Mortuary Sunday and returned to the family home on Monday morning, where
numerous friends called during the day to pay their respects to the dead, and lay flowers on the casket,
which was placed in the living room of the home. Relatives, including an only daughter, Mrs. Thomas
Campbell, came from San Francisco; Mrs. T. B. Bradley of Tiburon, Marin county, Mrs. Green's sister,
was there, and James B. Ahern, brother of the deceased,
came from San Rafael.
Monday night, Father Pier of St Francis Church, recited the Rosary at the home, which was participated in
by members of the Sonoma Y. L. I.,
[missing text]
the Y.L.I. followed the remains to the grave, and after the casket was lowered into the grave, each member
of the organization tossed a white chrysanthemum [sic], tied with a blue ribbon, upon the coffin. Members
of the Native Daughters did likewise, using a yellow chrysanthemum.
During the time that the body lay In state at the home, the casket was banked in flowers, and the stairway
leading from the hall, was strewn with flowers, brought by friends, as a token of respect and loving friendship
for a noble woman who had finished her life's work.
Mrs. Green's maiden name was Jane I. Ahern. She was born in Lakeville, Sonoma county, on June 11, 1871.
She resided in that neighborhood for about 16 years, and attended St. Vincent convent at Petaluma.
Her father moved to Shellville and Jane accompanied him there
and in 1892 she married Louis H. Green, then engaged in the lumber and building material business at
Sonoma. Shortly after their marriage, Mrs. Green, in company with Doctors Hays and Thompson, established
a hospital here. Mrs. Green took full charge of this institution, which was started in 1905. Falling health
compelled her to give up this work in 1917, and the hospital was discontinued.
Besides her fraternal affiliations mentioned above, she was a member of Alta Parlor No. 3, N. D. G. W., of
San Francisco, and also a member of Neighbors of Woodcraft of Santa Rosa. Most of Mrs. Green's life work
was among the needy and distressed, and it was in recognition of this inclination that made her a valuable
and untiring member of the Sonoma County Social Service Commission and the local Red Cross Chapter,
and member of-the General Relief Committee. Mrs. Green was a very practical woman, and her opinions
were of great value, because of her capacity to investigate real condition that exist among those in distress.
The pall bearers at the funeral service were Blair Hart, Supervisor of Petaluma; J. W. Ford, referee in bankruptcy
and former district attorney of Santa Rosa; Frank Burris, Sonoma banker; W. J. Kearney, Sonoma Valley
rancher; Jep Valente, Sonoma City councilman and fire chief, and Joe Redding, prominent rancher of
Nicasio, Marin county. |
| In the midst of life we are in death. A complete life enriched by human experiences, enobled by
countless charities and ministration to sorrow and suffering, such was the life of Jane I. Green, terminated
suddenly by Divine decree. Perhaps she was needed in the Great Beyond and goes to serve in the broader
field, to glean the eternal blessing and reward she so richly deserves. And yet I hear her say, "there is so
much to do here." We can only show our love and respect for her and her great sacrifice in behalf of those
in distress, by carrying on her noble program, the work of social service to which she dedicated her life. If
she could know her friends would do that, that Sonoma, the community in which she worked so long and
faithfully would be inspired by her passing to full response in the time of need, that we would rededicate
ourselves to the Red Cross and other benefactions, we would win her eternal blessing.
Most truly she has set an example by which we all may profit, for she has lived a life which has exemplified
true Christian precepts; ready to heed every call, to heal every wound, to comfort the friendless and sick.
With a deep understanding of and sympathy for unfortunate humanity, her work in the hospitals as a
volunteer nurse at the time of the great influenza epidemic, in the humble homes of friends and neighbors,
in the sick room of those more pretentious, was recognized and praised. She was ever ready to answer
every call; yes, even the call to the Great Beyond. For that she was prepared. Deeply religious and devoted
to her church, she could meet her Maker at any hour with assurance that a new day was dawning in which
those she had helped along the way would win eternal benediction, regeneration or reward. Strong was her
faith in the Divine plan. A womanly woman, noble, generous and self sacrificing, has left us. Let us honor her
name. |
