Utterly numbed by pain

This is how Lady Colin Campbell described her feelings after the death of her sister in January 1885. Mary had been beautiful, popular in society, and was only around thirty. They had attended parties and other social events together, and were known as the two beautiful sisters, Gertrude “dark and dashing”, Mary “fair and sweet”.  It was probably typhoid or another infection contracted from poor water supplies, rather than the “east wind” as one journal stated, but coming mid-way during Lady Colin’s legal battles with her estranged husband, it knocked her back and left her feeling “desolate.”

I’ve recently discovered that a stained glass window was created as a memorial for Mary, presumably organised by her family, and announced two years after her death. It is located at St. Michael’s Church, Bray, near Maidenhead, where Mary is buried. Still partially hidden by some organ pipes, the window will be fully on display soon, as a new organ will allow the old organ paraphernalia to be removed. 

The window is described as “two lights depicting the Annunciation, made by Clayton and Bell in their Regent Street studios” and underneath is a plaque which reads: “In memory of Mary Beatrice wife of George Thomas Bolton of Ballynastraw Co. Wexford, Ireland and eldest daughter of Edmond Maghlin Blood of Brickhill, Co. Clare, Ireland. Obit Jan-2-1885.” 

 

With thanks to Ken Amery and St. Michael’s Church, Bray.