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Maude and her sister: a life of resilience

Devoted and resilient like her maternal grandmother, Maude cared for her older sister Alice for many years. As she grew older, Alice’s mental health problems worsened, and she became increasingly withdrawn. Maude provided for all her sister’s needs, relocating her to the family home, Elmbank, in St. Andrews. There she was looked after by family friend Agnes Funcheon, with the help of a housekeeper, until her death. Alice passed away quietly in Maude’s arms on October 9, 1934 after being transferred to the Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, Ontario.

”My darling Allie died at 10 minutes to 9 : I got there half an hour before and held her close but she gave no sign, only grew quieter and went very quietly. Oh pitiful… ”

Photograph of Elmbank, Maude Abbott’s home, in winter, sepia. It is a two-storey brick house with a gable roof, two chimneys and a gallery on each floor. There is a white wooden fence in front of the house, which is surrounded by leafless trees.

Elmbank

 

Typewritten letter from Mary Lee to Maude Abbott dated September 18, 1934, 2 pages, black ink on sepia paper. The letter discusses Alice’s admission to McLean Hospital, Elmbank, and news from the city.

Letter from Mary Lee to Maude regarding Alice Abbott’s admission to the McLean, September 1934

 

Christmas booklet written by Maude Abbott in December 1929, 6 pages, black ink on sepia paper. The cover bears the single word “Christmas”, while the following pages contain Christmas wishes from Maude Abbott and two of her poems, “Ad vitam resurgo” and “My Mind”.

Christmas booklet, 1929

Christmas booklet written by Maude Abbott in December 1929, 6 pages, black ink on sepia paper. The cover bears the single word “Christmas”, while the following pages contain Christmas wishes from Maude Abbott and two of her poems, “Ad vitam resurgo” and “My Mind”.

Christmas booklet, 1929

Maude and her Museum Maude, her death and commemorations