Mrs. Theodore F. Pier died on Saturday morning, aged 84 years. Her health was failing during the past spring, but her last illness was of a few days' duration. It is with a sad feeling we note the passing away of this kind, Christian woman, whose heart and hand were ever open to the afflicted and needy. A gloom is cast over a wide circle of friends here where she was so long and favorably known. Many years of her life [were] spent in this village. She was the daughter of the late Oliver N. Shipman and the last of a large family, all of whom were finely situated and prominent in the business interests of this village in their time. She was a member of the Universalist Church in the days of the time of the Universalist Society here, was an active worker, a teacher in the Sunday School and sang in the choir many years. She possessed every quality that endeared her to her friends, being of fine intellect, culture and refinement, and also a most interesting and entertaining conversationalist. In her younger life her active interest was in everything that elevated, benefited and improved the community wherein she lived. From the writer's early life we remember this lovely woman, whose sterling integrity and sincerity won everyone who now mourn her passing away. She was of fine personality and retained her fine intellect to the end. In early life Lorinda Shipman was married to Theodore F. Pier and they passed an exceptionally happy life for 63 years last December. Her passing away is an irreparable loss to her devoted husband, and deep sympathy is expressed for him. Surviving also are one son Clarence Pier, and one daughter Mrs. Benton F. Whipple, and one granddaughter, Mrs. Leonard Carpenter, who will miss a kind and loving mother… Mrs. Pier was born in the vicinity of Pierstown. During her early married life she resided in this village, and nearly all her life has been spent here. Her father, the late O. N. Shipman, was the organizer of the Universalist church and society here in the '60's, and gave the plot of land upon which the Memorial Chapel was erected, after the Universalist church was destroyed by fire, and for which Mr. Shipman subscribed liberally, being the principal worker in its erection. After the church was destroyed by fire, the Memorial chapel was erected in memory of Kitt Shipman Catlin, by her husband E. N. Catlin, Mrs. Catlin being a sister of Mrs. Pier. The funeral was held on Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Chapel, the Rev. Frank O. Hokerk officiating. The floral tributes were very beautiful. Mrs. Reed Miller sang a beautiful solo. The bearers were Benton Whipple, E. N. Catlin, Frank Wood and John Pier Munn, all of whom were relatives. The burial was in the family plot in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown.

Richfield Springs Mercury, Richfield Springs, NY, Thu. 3 Aug 1911