Mrs. B. F. Clifford summoned by death: leader in Congregational church passes away at residence here April 11

The unexpected death Saturday afternoon, April 10, of Mrs. Florence (Woollen) Clifford, wife of Benjamin F. Clifford, 803 Lake avenue, brought deep sadness to a wide circle of friends in Wilmette and throughout the Chicago region. The winter had been a hard one for her and she had not been in her usual health since last fall, but even those best acquainted with her condition did not expect her collapse which came in the mid-week.

Born in Indianapolis, Ind., Mrs. Clifford spent the early years of her life in that city and was there married to Benjamin Franklin Clifford. After their marriage the Cliffords moved to Chicago where they resided for about ten years until Mr. Clifford was transferred by his firm to the Pacific Coast where they made their home at Tacoma, Wash., for more than five years. They then returned to Chicago, taking up their residence on the south side.

There in the Hyde Park district a great sorrow came to them in the loss of their beautiful ninteen [sic] year old daughter, Marguerite. Her long illness and the gradual ebbing of her young life brought a sadness to Mrs. Clifford which, though carefully hidden from friends could not be effaced by the passing of the years. Soon after the death of their daughter the family moved to Wilmette where they have lived for the past twenty years.

Patron of the Arts
While living on the south side, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford were members of and active in the Hyde Park Christian church, of which Dr. Edward S. Ames is now pastor. When they came to Wilmette they soon identified themselves with the First Congregational church and have during all the years of their residence been active and energetic in its work. In addition to the local church organizations to which Mrs. Clifford belonged, she was a member of the Wilmette Woman's club, The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of Indiana. An accomplished musician herself, she was a devotee of music in all its forms of expression and a patroness of art and literature.

Above all things, Mrs. Clifford was a home-maker. Unstinted in her devotion as a wife and mother, she was an inspiration to all in those gentle and generous qualities that mark the true home. She was the friend to every stranger and had the rare ability of importing a comfortable friendliness to all who were lonely or in need of encouragement.

The funeral services were conducted at the residence Thursday afternoon, April 15, the Rev. Stephen A. Lloyd, her pastor, officiating and Dr. E. S. Ames and Dr. H. S. Willett, her former pastors, assisting. Her remains will rest in the family plot in Rosemont cemetery in Indianapolis.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Clifford is survived by a son, Ernest Clifford, of New York, and a sister, the widow of the late Judge M. L. Clifford, of Tacoma, Wash.