A profound sense of loss has fallen upon Rushden and a big-hearted lady has gone to her great reward.  The whole of Rushden will mourn the loss of Mrs. Sartoris, of Rushden Hall, who passed away on Sunday morning.

For the past few days Mrs. Sartoris had been ill and though the tenderest care of loving devotion was exercised to its limit, Rushden’s truly great lady passed away.

The deceased lady was beloved by all who knew her, and although of late years her advanced age had compelled her to lead a retired life, she never for one moment lost her interest in anything which tended to the welfare of the town or which contributed to the assistance of the poorer classes.  Any organisation of a benevolent or philanthropic character had her generous and practical support, and her chief delight seemed to be in lending a helping hand to any borne down by sickness or misfortune.  By her death the poor have lost a benefactress, and that quiet but wonderful influence which she exercised over the town will be missed.  Never did she turn a deaf ear to a necessitous case, but was always ready and willing in a quiet and unostentatious manner to assist any in need of help.  In the winter season when relief was most needed it was dispensed by her with a liberal hand, and many grateful recipients will cherish the memory of her who was their succour in distress.

Her work in the case of the sick was perhaps the greatest of her life.  All those who took a similar interest found a new way to her heart.  Every year she entertained the factory collectors for the Northampton Hospital at the hall, the last occasion being quite recently.

In all the places of worship on Sunday night sympathetic references were made to the loss Rushden had sustained.  The Rushden Temperance Band opened their concert on Sunday with the “Dead March,” in “Saul.”

Mrs. Sartoris was the widow of the late Mr. F. U. Sartoris, of Rushden Hall, and was 96 years of age last July.  She was attended by Dr. Greenfield, but passed away on Sunday morning at 11.30.  Before marriage she was a Miss Pratt, daughter of Archdeacon Pratt, vicar of Paston, near Peterborough, and came to Rushden Hall as a bride in 1843.  She started the first Sunday school in connection with the Rushden Parish Church, and always took a great interest in its work, an interest manifested year by year as the children on their treat day marched through the grounds of the hall.  The late Mr. Sartoris gave the site for the National Day School, and also contributed largely to the cost of the erection.  Mrs. Sartoris also took a deep interest in the welfare of the school.

She was particularly interested in the Nursing Association, in which Miss Sartoris has also taken a prominent part, from its inception.  She was its first president, an office which she retained to the day of her lamented death.

Mrs. Sartoris was born on the 18th July, 1817, and was married in 1843.  Her family included Mr. Fredk. Maitland Sartoris, who died in 1883 and was the second Secretary to Her Majesty’s Embassy at Constantinople; Mr. Herbert Sartoris of Weekley, who died in 1900; Lady Robinson, who died in 1907; Mrs. Craven, who was married in 1882; and Miss Sartoris.  Her grandchildren are Sir Fredk. Robinson, Cranford; Mr. A. H. Sartoris, J.P., Weekley; Mrs. Ripley, Cottingham (wife of Col. Ripley); Mrs. Bagnall, Cranford; Mrs. C. B. W. Brooke, Geddington; Mr. H. E. A. Craven, and Miss Craven.

Mrs. Sartoris was a prominent worker for the Conservative party and the Primrose League.  She also took up Lady Wolverton’s scheme in 1883 and started the Northamptonshire Needlework Guild, Northampton being one of the first counties to work the scheme.  Mrs. Sartoris was a great gardener, and took a practical interest in her beautiful garden, and was also very fond of (?).  She took a cultured interest in art in all its branches, and was an authority on C...(?) architecture; her interest was also shown in antiquities and objects d’art.

It is interesting to recall that the Sartoris family built the Alms Houses at Rushden and endowed them.

The funeral takes place on Thursday at 2.30 at the Parish Church.