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Joan Buckminster Marcy

Unique Turtle Gravestone in Framingham's Church Hill Cemetery

Walking through the Framingham's Church Hill Cemetery, you may encounter many strange old gravestones. However, one stands out a bit more than others - its the gravestone of Joan Buckminster Marcy

Joan Buckminster Marcy

Who was Joan Buckminster Marcy?

There isn't a whole lot of information on her. I did find her obituary in the Buffalo NY Courier Express (Page 7):

Miss Joan Marcy Dies in Vermont

(August 19, 1942) Joan Buckminster Marcy, fourteen, younger daughter of William L. Marcy, Jr. and Mrs. Heinrich F. F. H. Hause of 62 East 78th Street, New York City, died yesterday morning at Guilford, VT., after an Illness of eight months.

Born July 14, 1928, Miss Marcy had made her home with her mother in New York since 1935. She attended school in Darien, Conn.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow at Guilford.

Besides her parents, Miss Marcy is survived by a sister, Constance of New York City.

In addition, someone posted some information in a feedback section on the ThisIsFramingham website, I am not sure it's talking about same person:

Comment by Sarah - October 14, 2008

Someone was interested in Joan Buckminster Marcy, buried in the cemetery at Framingham. She was my great aunt and a great beauty if I do say so myself. I inherited her portrait, done in oil. It's beautiful and hangs in my sister's house in Washington State.

She was married to a Spanish diplomat.

She died in Egypt after an ectopic pregnancy; medical technology was not what it is today, obviously. She was still in her twenties when she died.

I never knew her, but I knew my grandmother, her sister, very well indeed.

Couple of Notes about the above comment:

  • Joan was fourteen when she died, not 20.
  • She didn't die in Egypt but in Guilford, VT.

Why a Turtle Gravestone?

The whimsical bronze turtle does stand out from all the other classic gravestones.

One possible reason for the turtle is its Indian meaning - The turtle symbol signifies good health and long life. The turtle has great longevity living up to 150 years. (Could also be that Joan had a special thing for turtles)

Mystery in the Graveyard?

I am not sure if Sarah comment is correct.

If you have any additional information about Joan Buckminster Marcy, please put it in the comments below. Also, I couldn't find any information on why she was buried in Framingham. Se spent her whole life in Connecticut and New York. Why was she buried in Framingham?

 

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