Age 41. 17 St. Luke's Road, Allston (Boston), MA. Born 9/16/1901, Brookline, MA. Died the early morning of 12/01/1942 (Tuesday), of burns (death certificate), at U.S. Marine Hospital, Brighton (Boston), MA. Housewife (death certificate). In gathering of 15 known as the "Allston-Brighton Sewing Circle" party, at combined main dining room tables to the right of the rolling wooden dance floor (origin of the group name is unknown, but first appeared in next-day newspaper coverage). Fourteen died, including her husband William, age 46, her married younger brother Mr. Harold James Ford, age 34, and the latter's wife Doris, age 39 (died on December 2), all of Allston. Lone party survivor was Frederick Harrington, age 52 (Born 9/21/1890. Died 4/21/1972, age 81. Last residence Dorchester, MA), of Brighton, an inspector for the city of Boston Board of Health Dept. (his wife Catherine "Vernie," age 51, did not attend). "What had started out to be a big wedding anniversary party proved disastrous for the group...from the Brighton-Allston district" (The Boston Post, 12/01/1942). An older brother, Michael "Paul" Ford, age 42, of Allston, not present, was reported in the 12/02/1942 Boston Daily Record as "slightly hurt" (possibly in post-blaze activity or otherwise). An unrelated victim in the same gathering, Mrs. Margaret McFarlin, age 52, of Allston, was widely misreported as a sister (her birth surname was also "Ford," but different parents). Was the only female Grove casualty (of 234 women deceased) to succumb at a military hospital (no known military connection). Living with her husband in Brooklyn, NY, as of the 1930 federal census ("telephone operator"). With her victim brother above was one of 16 sibling pairs lost in the blaze (also half-siblings Earl Tattrie and Mrs. Harrilyn "Dolly" Taft, ages 31 and 21 respectively, plus four Fitzgerald brothers of Wilmington, MA, all dead). Late parents Mr. and Mrs. Martin E. and Jane (McDonough) Ford. "Triple funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Healy and Harold Ford were held...on Thursday morning" (The Item, Brighton-Allston, MA, 12/05/1942). Burial location with her husband was recorded on her death certificate as St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Roxbury (Boston), MA (cemetery has no such record of interment).

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