Maude Delahant with a bust of Robert Louis Stevenson. Adirondack Daily Enterprise, December 2, 1983
Born: April 15, 1887
Died: December 1, 1983
Married: John F. Delahant
Children: John F. Delahant, Jr., James Delahant, Robert Delahant, Mrs. Spencer B. (Ruth) Newman
Maude Hotaling Delahant was curator of the Stevenson Cottage here for many years.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, December 2, 1983
Maude Delahant, curator of Stevenson House, dies
SARANAC LAKE - Mrs. Maude B. Delahant, 96, who with her husband John F. Delahant, Sr., was curator of the Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial Cottage here for many years, died yesterday at the Uihlein Mercy Center in Lake Placid.
Mrs. Delahant moved to Saranac Lake in 1953 when her husband assumed the curatorship of the Stevenson Cottage. After her husband's death in 1958, her dedication to the memory of the famous writer prompted her to accept the position of curator on a voluntary basis as her contribution to the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Delahant lived year-round at the cottage, but Mrs. Delahant spent only the summers there after his death. In the winter months, she lived in Point Pleasant, N.J.
For 20 years after her husband's death she conducted thousands of visitors through the rooms of the cottage where the author had lived for six months during the winter of 1887-88 and where he had written some of his works.
She was forced to retire in 1978 because of illness.
Mrs. Delahant enjoyed her work at the cottage and often said that one of her rewards was meeting so many wonderful people during her tenure as curator. She said she especially enjoyed getting re-acquainted with the children who had visited the cottage when they were youngsters and returned with their own children years later.
Personally, her favorite Stevenson writing was his poem, "The Requiem".
Mrs. Delahant was born in Albany on April 15, 1887, the daughter of James J. and Emma (Bacon) Hotaling.
Survivors include three sons, John, Jr., of Saranac Lake; James of Woodstock, N.H.; Robert of Point Pleasant, N.J., and a daughter, Mrs. Spencer (Ruth) Newman of Point Pleasant. Ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren also survive.
The Fortune Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be no calling hours. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m.. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Philip Snyder, rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will be in Pine Ridge Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Uihlein Mercy Center.
