Sisters of Mercy

There were two Columbia sisters (with help from a third, Elizabeth) who were instrumental in retaining much of what we have of Lloyd Mifflin's work and personal objects today. Grace Minich (left) and Loretta (right). They became close friends of Lloyd and Dr. Houston during Lloyd's final years and, ultimately, of Dr. Houston's final years. When Dr. Houston Mifflin died in 1936. these sisters continued cataloguing Lloyd's work started by the loyal brother and doctor, Houston.

Some of the things the sisters did—when seen in retrospect—were not so helpful to Lloyd's legacy, but many other efforts they made on Lloyd's behalf were exceptionally useful. Certainly their intentions were genuine. Loretta died in 1966. The following year, Grace was in hospital recovering from a long illness. On February 10, 1967, burglars had broken into the house on North Tenth Street the sisters shared. When the thieves took what they felt was valuable, they set fire to a room before leaving. Unknown to them, there were a number of Lloyd's paintings stored in the hallway closet. Many of the paintings were completely lost to flame. Those remaining were coated with soot.

Although Grace was said to be improving from her illness when she heard of the break-in and fire, she was distraught beyond words. Two days later, she died... very possibly of a broken heart and the weight of guilt she then inherited. God bless the Minich sisters.