Adella Wotherspoon
Adella Wotherspoon | |
---|---|
General Slocum | |
Spouse | James Wotherspoon |
Adella Liebenow Wotherspoon (November 28, 1903 – January 26, 2004) was the youngest and
Birth and siblings
Born Adele Martha Liebenow in Manhattan, she was the daughter of Anna Liebenow (1872–1957) and Paul Liebenow (1871–1910). She was nicknamed Tiby Liebenow. Her siblings Anna C. Liebenow Jr. (1901–1904) and Helen Liebenow (1898–1904) died in the fire on the PS General Slocum. Helen's body was never identified and is presumed buried in a mass grave. Two cousins and two aunts also perished in the fire. One of the relatives who died was Martha Liebenow (1875–1904) of 404 5th Street in Manhattan.[1] Adella's family was listed as living at 133 East 125th Street in the official register of General Slocum deaths.
Shortly after the sinking, her parents legally changed her first name to "Adella".
Fire aftermath
After the fire, Adella was treated at
Commemoration
The young Wotherspoon played a highly visible role in unveiling a commemorative statue in the cemetery where more than sixty unidentified dead were buried on the first anniversary of the disaster. She returned annually for the memorial ceremonies.[3]
Death and burial
Wotherspoon was a resident of a convalescent home in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey for the last several years of her life.[4] She died in 2004 at aged 100, and was cremated. Her ashes were buried alongside her husband's at the Wilson Memorial Union Church Cemetery in Watchung, New Jersey.
See also
- Catherine Uhlmyer, second to last survivor
References
- ^ Anna C. Liebenow (1901-1904) birth certificate number "1700"; death certificate number "3323". Helen Liebenow (1898-1904) birth certificate number "32329"; death certificate may not have been issued. Martha Liebenow (1875-1904) death certificate number "3746"
- ^ Martin, Douglas (January 27, 2004). "Adella Wotherspoon, Last Survivor of General Slocum Disaster, Is Dead at 100". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
- ISBN 9781616143107.
Adella Wotherspoon.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-27.