Find A Grave contributor Bob Orr...


Ref: 27 Apr. 1927, Mediapolis New Era, Mediapols, IA -- Mary Hutchcroft, daughter of John and Mary Hutchcroft, was born in Yorkshire, England, March 22nd, 1850. She was the seventh of a family of eleven children.

She came to America in 1867. In 1871, December 12th, she was united in marriage to Henry Moody, a young man from her own native country. They were privileged to walk life's pathway together for more than fifty-five years; sharing life's joys and sorrows, its responsibilities and blessings; working and planning for a home, saving and sacrificing for the children; and growing in love and devotion for each other as the years carried them toward the golden west.

They started up housekeeping in Des Moines county, but, fifty-one years ago they moved on the farm now occupied my Mr. and Mrs. William Feldman, northeast of Winfield. Here they reared their family and made their home until twenty-four years ago when they built their home in the southeast part of town.

Having lived in and near Winfield for over half a century, she has made very close friends. Friends who knew her and appreciated her fine soul. She was a quiet homeloving woman, a real benediction to her husband and children. She was ever thinking of their welfare and loved to bestow upon them the fruits of her labors. Almost to the very last she was sewing and doing all kind of needle work.

She was baptized in infancy and later confirmed in the Church of England. After moving into the vicinity of Winfield, she cast her lot with the Presbyterian church and worshipped there. To the last she was ever ready to respond to its calls and obligations as her strength would permit. Her life was always a testimony of her relation to God.

She departed this life on April 16th, 1927, at the age of 77 years, and 24 days. Her suffering in the last illness was great and her going was looked forward to by her with anticipation. The angel of death was truly an angel of Mercy.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, three children, Fred Moody, of Davenport, Iowa; Henry Moody, and Mrs. Laura Feldman, of Winfield, Iowa; nine grand children and four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Thomas Hutchcroft, of Mediapolis, Iowa; and Ed Hutchcroft, of Indianaola, Iowa; four sisters, Elizabeth Drinkall, of Mediapolis, Iowa; Hanna Jordan and Elizabeth Rundorff, of Burlington and Anna Affleck of St. Paul, MN. Two brothers and two sisters have preceded her in death. (Winfield Beacon)