Marion Chapter honored a Real Daughter on April 18, 2009, a Daughter who had never been forgotten, but whose final resting place had gone unmarked for more than 100 years. Catherine Robards Stirman joined the DAR in 1895, and her father had joined the cause of our country’s freedom in 1777.
Under a cloudy sky on April 18th, some 75 people listened as Marion Chapter Regent Jeanne Tackett welcomed us and described Mrs. Stirman’s history. Fayetteville’s mayor, Lioneld Jordan read a proclamation declaring April 18, 2009, to be Catherine Robards Stirman Day. This honor was followed by remarks from State Regent Mary Lee Schultz, who reminded us that there are only two Real Daughters now recognized in Arkansas, one of them being Mrs. Stirman. Reverend Ryan Pfeiffer, who serves in the First Christian Church of Fayetteville, which Mrs. Stirman and her husband helped found, then described some of its history, and Mrs. Stirman’s commitment to the church and to the cause of education. Afterwards, during photos, the state regent and chapter regent joined in placing a wreath on Mrs. Stirman’s engraved granite tablet. The chapter was assisted during the ceremony by members of Girl Scout Troop #5669 and Eagle Scout Michael Brian Sigulinsky.