“Greatly deplore loss
distinguished handmaid of Baha'u'llah. Through her manifold pioneer services
she has proved herself worthy of implicit confidence reposed in her by
'Abdu'l-Baha. Advise American believers hold befitting memorial gatherings.
Assure relatives heartfelt sympathy, prayers." (Signed) Shoghi (Cable to
National Spiritual Assembly)
"The dress was destroyed, but the one who wore the dress is living."
These words are part of a wonderful teaching on immortality which 'Abdu'l-Baha
gave to Mrs. Parsons when she supplicated for a word from Him for a friend who
was inconsolable because of the passing of a dear one. It seems appropriate now
in connection with the going away of our dear sister herself, for in this world
"she proved herself worthy of the implicit confidence reposed in her by
'Abdu'l-Baha," as stated in the cable about her from our Guardian.
On Friday, January 19, 1934, at about six p.m., Mrs. Parsons was crossing a
street alone and was knocked down by a passing automobile. A serious illness
followed, and finally on Tuesday night, January 23rd, about midnight, she
ascended to the world of eternal, radiant light and life. "The human
spirit comes from God and to Him it returns."
Mrs. Parsons, we are informed, had reached the age of seventy-three years, a
long and eventful life which, as far as all earthly measurements are concerned,
seemed full of promise for many more years of service.
