I have often said that my family tree is not tree shaped. Sometimes I’ve described it as a wreath, or as a tumbleweed (hence the name of this blog). Well, Mary Munson was both my 2nd great-grandmother and my 2nd great-grand aunt. Yes, you read that right. She was both my great-grandmother and my great-grand aunt. Her obituary has that tell-tail sign.

Yes, she had a daughter “Mrs. Rivers” who lived in Swartz Creek at the time and a sister “Mrs. Rivers” who lived in Taymouth Township. Mrs. Rivers – the daughter – was born Alice Mary Wickham and was married to her first cousin, Gardner Rivers. Mrs. Rivers – the sister – was Frances Jane Munson who was married to John Rivers and they were Gardner’s parents. Keeping it all in the family… lol.

Mary and Frances Jane were 2 daughters of Henry Munson and his wife Elizabeth “Betsy” Foster. An uncle of Mary and Frances Jane, Gardner W Foster was the first white child born in Saginaw County and is who the village of Fosters is named after.

Mary died May 23, 1907 from Erysipelas. According to Wikipedia, Erysipelas is a skin infection caused by a bacteria. Wikipedia also states:

This disease is most common among the elderly, infants, and children. People with immune deficiency, diabetes, alcoholism, skin ulceration, fungal infections, and impaired lymphatic drainage (e.g., after mastectomy, pelvic surgery, bypass grafting) are also at increased risk.

It is probable that she was diabetic and/or had cardiac issues. Evidence for this comes from her picture, obituary and death certificate. No, none of them directly state this, but it is likely – especially since both issues run in the family – her daughter Alice, grandson and great-grandson all died of heart issues. Her great-grandchildren – my dad and uncle both had diabetes (as do I).