By Judy Carbone, Mountain Maryland resident and former MWHC board member
Born in Kingwood, West Virginia in 1871, Lillian “Tay” Byrne Morris Sincell lived most of her life in Oakland as a prominent civic activist, known for her hospitality as well as her artistic talent. After an extended courtship of five years, she agreed to marry Benjamin Hinkle Sincell, the editor of The Republican newspaper in Oakland on a Wednesday evening, October 16, 1895. The two had five children together. Even as a busy parent, Tay was very involved in the suffrage movement, heading up the local chapter of the Just Government League and serving as the Oakland Hospitality Chair during the 1914 Garrett Suffrage Pilgrimage.
She celebrated the eventual passing of the 19th Amendment by being just the third woman in Oakland to register to vote.
An artist, Tay painted depictions of Christ in 12 area churches, some of which remain today. She was active in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, as well as with the Temperance League.
She was known as a wonderful host, holding large parties in her Oakland home and inviting local guests as well as visiting Chautauqua speakers and performers, state suffragist leaders, and more.
After her husband’s death in 1947, she took over as publisher and held that title until her own death in 1961. She was a hard-working, dedicated community activist, and an accomplished artist.