Rosalie Gay Obituary Published December 30, 1912 Pioneer

Mrs. Charlie Gay Dead

Mrs. Rosalie Gay wife of Charlie Gay, the senior editor of The Big Rapids Pioneer, died Saturday evening at 6:15 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. E. Hoit, after a lingering illness extending considerably over a year.

She was first taken sick a year ago last fall, and underwent an operation at the Mercy Hospital. Her illness continued after her return to her home, and since last March the family home on Linden street was closed and the invalid and Mr. Gay made their home with Mr. and Mrs. Hoit.

For several months past Mrs. Gay's condition was seen to be hopeless. In spite of everything that could be done to relieve her she suffered terribly during the last few weeks.

The end came very gradually, she having been unconscious for about 24 hours before the end. When she saw that death was near she welcomed it as a blessed relief and was anxious to go.

Mrs. Charlie Gay was 69 years old last November. She was born on November 18, 1843at Vergennes, VT. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. John Bailey. While still a young girl she moved with her mother to Michigan settling at Newaygo, where she grew up into womanhood. On May 12, 1860, she was united in marriage to Charlie Gay, who had arrived in that village four years before that time.

Less than two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gay with their son Fred, then a babe of a few months, lft Newaygo for Big Rapids, where Mr. Gay had already opened up a printing office, and issued the first member of The Pioneer. The journey from Newaygo was made in two days by wagon, and what is now Big Rapids was then a place of 150 inhabitants.

During those early days Mrs. Gay bore nearly all of the privations of early pioneer life. From the first, during the early period, although always of a retiring disposition, she played a prominent part in the social life of the city. Following in the steps of her husband, who is one of the most prominent Masons in the State, she joined the Order of the Eastern Star, of which she was a faithful member, and served in various officiakl positions, including that of Worthy Matron.

Coming to Big Rapids over 52 years ago and residing here continuously since gave her the longest record of any woman pioneer in the city.

Personally she was of kindly disposition, a hard worker, a most painstaking housekeeper, and was thoroughly devoted to her family.

Mentally she was bright and quick, and had a most remarkable memory, being able to recall with the vividness of yesterday all of the important as well as most of the trivial incidents of the early history of the city that came to her notice.

Besides her husband, she is survived by her son Fred, now of Berkely, Cal., who was at her bedside, and Mrs. W. E. Hoit, also by two brothers, and a sister.

The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Hoit resience on Stewart Avenus. Rev. Kerstetter of St. Andrew's Church will officiate.