Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Alice Lydia GILBERT
Alice Lydia Gilbert Siddall Stray of Chester County Alice Lydia Gilbert Siddall Stray passed away March 1, 2015 having lived 100 years in Chester County. Born in Chatham, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Jesse Daniel Gilbert and Ada Elizabeth Pearl Gilbert. Alice grew up at the mill on Rt. 841 between West Grove and Chatham. It was family owned since 1884. Her father was born and reared there a miller all his life. The family moved from that mill to another which today remembered as Strodes Mill being there only three years. The family moved to the mill on Rt. 100 on North High Street just north of the West Chester Golf and Country Club. Cider, flour, and grinding grain were available for farmers. It had been a historic hiding place for the Underground Railroad. Alice always talked of her mill background. In 1953 the mill was torn down to widen Rt. 100. Alice walked to the Oakland Road School with her sisters Ellen, Elizabeth (Libby), and brother Edwin Gilbert. Elsie Kramer (Heck) a cousin also walked with them. Elsie and Alice reunited at Sunrise of Exton where they spent their final days. Alice graduated West Chester High School 1932 and West Chester State Teachers College in 1936. Alice married John Edward Siddall, Jr. 1938 until his death in 1984. They had two sons, Gilbert Hampton Siddall and John Edward Siddall IV. Upon Ed’s death, she married a long time friend, Carsten Sigvald Stray, February 2, 1985 to May 24, 2003. Teaching all grades in a one room school to West Whiteland Elementary School, Charlestown Elementary School and after retirement was a substitute teacher for the Great Valley School District. She enjoyed nature, led many hikes on the Horshoe Trail, worked with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and did lectures about local mills. She did bird banding and saved wounded birds until they could fly away. Alice was a member from 1938 of the East Whiteland Presbyterian Church later changed name to Covenant Presbyterian Church. Alice was devoted to teaching Sunday school, choir, missions, and Ladies Aide groups. Alice was an Eastern Star member as organist, worked through the chairs and was Worthy Matron until the group disbanded General Anthony Wayne Chapter 297 Eastern Star. Alice was preceded in death by sisters, Ellen Emma Gilbert Eastburn, Ada Elizabeth Gilbert Reichhold, brother Edwin Gilbert, husbands John Edward Siddall, Jr., Carsten Stray., and son Gilbert Hampton Siddall. Alice is survived by son, John Edward Siddall (Sandra); grandchildren, Lora Lynn Siddall, Cynthia Ann McAllister (Girvin), and Mark Edward Siddall all of Coatesville, Christopher Lee Siddall of East Winthrop, Maine, and Susan Elaine Siddall of Phoenix, Ariz.; great grandchildren Haley Elizabeth Siddall of Coatesville, Michael A. Siddall of East Winthrop, Maine, Xavier Siddall of Kansas City, Kan.; and a daughter-in-law, Barbara H. Siddall of Phoenix, Ariz.
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