From collection Member List
Mary A. Bingham Willoughby (Syracuse, 1874) was born on August 30, 1856, in Watertown, New York, and grew up in Rome, New York. Mary, known as Minnie, was the youngest of the four Founders and entered Syracuse University in the fall of 1873. She graduated with a fine arts degree in 1878, after which she traveled in Europe with her parents for a time.
Mary A. Bingham married Edward Willoughby and made her home with him in Utica, New York. She devoted her time to her children, Gamma Phi Beta, art, music and the church. Mary sang in the choir and taught a Sunday school class at the First Presbyterian Church. She also greatly enjoyed entertaining friends and business associates of Edward with formal dinners, as well as holding informal evenings filled with music, dancing and friends.
Mary attended Gamma Phi Beta Conventions when they were held in Syracuse. She kept in contact with other members through personal correspondence and many submissions to The Crescent.
Although the youngest of the founders, Mary was the first to pass away. She died on January 14, 1916. After Mary’s death, Eunice Adeline Curtis (Syracuse, 1874) wrote this poem in tribute of her:
I cannot say, and I will not say
That she is dead. She is just away.
With a cheery smile and a
Wave of the hand
She has wandered into an
Unknown land.
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since she lingers there.
Think of her still as the same, I say.
She is not dead…she is just away.
Mary A. Bingham married Edward Willoughby and made her home with him in Utica, New York. She devoted her time to her children, Gamma Phi Beta, art, music and the church. Mary sang in the choir and taught a Sunday school class at the First Presbyterian Church. She also greatly enjoyed entertaining friends and business associates of Edward with formal dinners, as well as holding informal evenings filled with music, dancing and friends.
Mary attended Gamma Phi Beta Conventions when they were held in Syracuse. She kept in contact with other members through personal correspondence and many submissions to The Crescent.
Although the youngest of the founders, Mary was the first to pass away. She died on January 14, 1916. After Mary’s death, Eunice Adeline Curtis (Syracuse, 1874) wrote this poem in tribute of her:
I cannot say, and I will not say
That she is dead. She is just away.
With a cheery smile and a
Wave of the hand
She has wandered into an
Unknown land.
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since she lingers there.
Think of her still as the same, I say.
She is not dead…she is just away.
Related Items
Minnie Bingham to Charles Cobb Letter, September 3, 1874
Mary A. Bingham Willoughby (Syracuse, 1874) updates Charles Cobb on her activities, describing life at Syracuse University, her friendships, and other students.
Thirty-Third Annual Convention Banquet Program, November 15, 1907
This program lists the menu, schedule of events, and toasts from the 1907 Convention Banquet. It also features photographs of the four Founders.
Silver Bud Vase, December 1874
The Founders presented this vase to Mary Clara Worden Wilcox (Syracuse, 1875), the first new member of Gamma Phi Beta.
Founders at Convention Photograph, 1907
The Gamma Phi Beta Founders gather at the 1907 Convention in Syracuse, New York. This was the first time all four were together since their college days and would be the last time all four would meet.
