image: San Francisco Examiner, 10 May 1915. Michael Poirier Collection.
Catherine Willey, 57, was the mother of Mrs. Robert Julius Thorne (Katherine S. Thorne), wife of the president of Montgomery Ward & Company. Catherine was from Lake Forest, Illinois, United States and had lived at the Continental Hotel in Paris, France for the previous 6 years. Every year she would visit her daughter, who lived in Chicago. In the spring of 1915, Catherine left Chicago on Wednesday, 28 April for France, where she planned to enter the Red Cross Service. Catherine did not survive the Lusitania disaster and her body was identified #1 by Barry.
Catherine was divorced from Cameron L. Willey, the stepfather of Mrs. Thorne, in 1903, and since that time had been a member of her daughter’s household. Cameron, who survived Catherine more than a year, left a large estate. The decree of divorce provided that Mr. Willey, or in the event of his death his estate, should pay to Catherine alimony at the rate of $7,200 per year. This alimony was promptly paid to the time of Mrs. Willey’s death when, under the terms of the decree, it ceased.
From this alimony Catherine contributed to her daughter and her household substantial amounts in the way of presents and otherwise. Catherine and her daughter were constantly in each other’s company and devoted to each other, and assisted in the management of the household and in the rearing of her daughter’s four children.
Catherine left Chicago on Wednesday, 28 April 1915 for France, aboard Lusitania, where she planned to enter the Red Cross Service. Her ticket aboard Lusitania was 20604 and she stayed in cabin B-36. Catherine did not survive the Lusitania sinking and her body was identified #1 by Barry.
In the recovery and transportation of the body of the decedent her estate incurred and expense of $810. The personal effects belonging to the decedent and which were lost with her were of the value of $6,100.
Related pages
Catherine Willey at the Mixed Claims Commission
Contibutors:
Michael Poirier
Judith Tavares
References:
The New York Times. Sunday, 9 May 1915, page 5.
The New York Times. Wednesday, 12 May 1915, page 2.
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