Kelly, Grace, d. 1909.

From the contents of the letters, Grace Kelly and John H. Stigers were engaged to be married. They were both living in Sunnyside, WA. Grace had not been feeling very well for awhile. About February 10, 1909 she and her mother went to Walla Walla, WA . St. Mary's Hospital had been established by the Sisters of Providence in 1879. It is presumed that Grace and her mother came to the hospital in Walla Walla because she had been so ill. It was determined that she had a very bad abscess on her side and surgery was required. She wrote to Stigers that she didn't want the surgery but that there weren't any other options. In one of her letters she tells Stigers that if she doesn't get well he can marry someone else. The last letter that Grace wrote was about an hour before her surgery on February 22, 1909. On February 24, 1909 Grace Kelly passed away. The last letter in the collection is a response to John Stigers from Effie Morrison, Grace's sister, dated February 28, 1909.

From the description of Letters from Grace Kelly to John H. Stigers of Sunnyside, Washington, Feb. 1909. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 436459357