Marie Poutz: Difference between revisions
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The lodge members gathered in the Great Hall where the platform had been made beautiful with great bouquets of stock against the dark blue velvet backdrop and flanking an easel draped effectively with silk scarves. On the Easel was the handsomely illuminated and framed scroll which had been awarded Miss Poutz by the National Society at last summer's Convention, honoring this same anniversary. | The lodge members gathered in the Great Hall where the platform had been made beautiful with great bouquets of stock against the dark blue velvet backdrop and flanking an easel draped effectively with silk scarves. On the Easel was the handsomely illuminated and framed scroll which had been awarded Miss Poutz by the National Society at last summer's Convention, honoring this same anniversary. | ||
Miss Poutz was escorted to | Miss Poutz was escorted to a scarf-draped chair in the center of the platform by the lodge president, Mr. Herbert Staggs. Miss Elizabeth Hancock at the piano played a favorite of Miss Poutz's, the slow movement from Beethoven's Seventh Sonata. Then Miss Poutz for more than an hour delighted 'her family,' with reminiscences of these important fifty years. She told us how she found Theosophy, how she entered the Society in March, 1898 in New Orleans, and bits about her work under four Presidents of the Society, Colonel Olcott, Dr. Besant, Dr. Arundale and Mr. Jinarajadasa. It was an unforgettable event for those fortunate enough to be present...<ref>"A Party for Miss Poutz" ''American Theosophist'' 36 no.4 (April, 1948): 95.</ref> | ||
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Revision as of 13:34, 16 February 2023
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Marie Poutz was a prominent American worker in the Theosophical Society in America, affectionately known as "Poutzie."
Personal life
Marie Poutz was born on February 12, 1860 to Pierre and Estelle Ferrier Poutz in New Orleans.[1] Pierre was a cotton buyer, and two of his sons became cotton inspectors.
Miss Poutz died on July 28, 1951 in Ventura County, California.
Theosophical Society involvement
Miss Poutz became a member of the Theosophical Society on March 24, 1898, as a founding member of the New Orleans TS.[2] She continued living in New Orleans until at least 1901, but by 1910 had moved to Norfolk, Virginia, working as a stenographer in an attorney's office.[3][4]
By 1912 she had moved to the new Theosophical colony of Krotona in Hollywood.[5] There she worked as a stenographer, teacher, and lecturer. Later, after the Krotona Institute of Theosophy was relocated in Ojai, Ventura County, she sometimes worked in the Krotona Library.[6]
In 1935 she and C. Jinarajadasa visited the California Pacific International Exposition.[7]
During summer conventions and summer school at the American Section's headquarters, Olcott, the members would meet for meditation before breakfast, according to Clara Codd: "Generally this is taken by the most beloved person in the whole section, little Miss Marie Poutz, head of the esoteric work."[8]
In March 24, 1948, the members at Krotona celebrated Miss Poutz's 50th anniversary of membership with a party.
The lodge members gathered in the Great Hall where the platform had been made beautiful with great bouquets of stock against the dark blue velvet backdrop and flanking an easel draped effectively with silk scarves. On the Easel was the handsomely illuminated and framed scroll which had been awarded Miss Poutz by the National Society at last summer's Convention, honoring this same anniversary.
Miss Poutz was escorted to a scarf-draped chair in the center of the platform by the lodge president, Mr. Herbert Staggs. Miss Elizabeth Hancock at the piano played a favorite of Miss Poutz's, the slow movement from Beethoven's Seventh Sonata. Then Miss Poutz for more than an hour delighted 'her family,' with reminiscences of these important fifty years. She told us how she found Theosophy, how she entered the Society in March, 1898 in New Orleans, and bits about her work under four Presidents of the Society, Colonel Olcott, Dr. Besant, Dr. Arundale and Mr. Jinarajadasa. It was an unforgettable event for those fortunate enough to be present...[9]
Notes
- ↑ New Orleans, Louisiana Birth Records Index: 1790-1899.
- ↑ Membership Ledger Cards roll 6. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
- ↑ U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.
- ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census.
- ↑ U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.
- ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census.
- ↑ "Visitors Incognito" The San Diego Union (July 7, 1935): 2.
- ↑ Clara Codd, So Rich a Life (Pretoria: Institute for Theosophical Publicity, 1956), 332.
- ↑ "A Party for Miss Poutz" American Theosophist 36 no.4 (April, 1948): 95.