In 1962, her neighbors Elsie and Thomas McCarthy, along with their young son Joe, made a home made stone for her and placed it on her grave. The cemetery demanded the stone be removed because it was made of cement and would deteriorate. The Detroit News printed an article in their paper on the bottom of the front page regarding the tombstone. It was titled A Tombstone Made of Love. The headlines that day in November 1962 read "MISSILES IN CUBA." Because of unprecidented readership due to the headline, public opinion convinced the cemetery to allow the stone to remain. It remains until this day.
The tombstone made of love is the first home made tombstone in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit. God Bless Midgie for being such a wonderful neighbor, my brother for his skill, God Bless my parents for their compassion and for honoring their dear neighbor. Note: Jacobus Patyn is also buried at Mt. Olivet Section 29 Tier 44 Space 183. Isn't it sad that the State of Michigan didn't bury her by his side?
In 1962, her neighbors Elsie and Thomas McCarthy, along with their young son Joe, made a home made stone for her and placed it on her grave. The cemetery demanded the stone be removed because it was made of cement and would deteriorate. The Detroit News printed an article in their paper on the bottom of the front page regarding the tombstone. It was titled A Tombstone Made of Love. The headlines that day in November 1962 read "MISSILES IN CUBA." Because of unprecidented readership due to the headline, public opinion convinced the cemetery to allow the stone to remain. It remains until this day.
The tombstone made of love is the first home made tombstone in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit. God Bless Midgie for being such a wonderful neighbor, my brother for his skill, God Bless my parents for their compassion and for honoring their dear neighbor. Note: Jacobus Patyn is also buried at Mt. Olivet Section 29 Tier 44 Space 183. Isn't it sad that the State of Michigan didn't bury her by his side?
Gravesite Details
Ellis Island Records show her birth year as 1877, cemetery records show 1874 as written on the headstone.
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