The following article appeared in the Monday, 25 Jul 1887 edition of the Wilkes-Barre (PA)
Record newspaper. If you would like a copy of this obituary, please send me your mailing
address.
"The death of Mrs. Margaret Roberts Roderick occurred yesterday quite suddenly at the
residence of her sister Mrs. B. Armstrong, on North Franklin Street. Mrs. Roderick had
been ill for the last three months, having been attached with what was believed to be
malarial fever at her brother's house in Lake Forest, a suburb of Chicago. She was
treated there for malaria but appeared to get no better, and ten days ago, hoping that a
change of scene and air would work an improvement, she came to Wilkes-Barre. Dr. Mayer
was called to attend her and perceived that she was suffering from some more insidious
disease, the precise nature of which will probably be determined as a post-mortem
examination to be held by Drs. Mayer and Crawford to-day. The case was not believed to be
hopeless, however, and Mrs. Roderick's death was quite unexpected. She was supposed
to have suffered with an abscess of the stomach.
"Deceased was born in Aberystwyth, South Wales, in 1837 and came to America about 10
years later. In 1850 she became the wife of the late John Roderick, whose death occurred
7 years ago, while his wife was in mid-ocean, on her way to Europe. He was for a time a
dry goods merchant and later a druggist, being located in the building now occupied by
Lincoln's pharmacy.
"Mr. and Mrs. Roderick had no children. After her husband's death Mrs. Roderick
made her home with her brother, Rev. Dr. Wm. C. Roberts, president of the Northwestern
University, at Lake Forest, spending much of her time, however, with her sister, Mrs.
Armstrong, of this city. Mrs. Roderick also leaves another brother, David E. Roberts,
superintendent of the Ferrel Engine Works, of Ansonia, Conn., father of Miss Fannie
Roberts who is a frequent guest of her aunt in this city.
"Mrs. Roderick was conscious up to the moment of her death and passed away apparently
without pain. The funeral will be announced later."
Nancy Cook
Pasadena, MD, USA