Obituary for Edith Nevin Rathbun
Edith Nevin Rathbun, a direct descendent of two of Rhode Island’s earliest families died June 14, 2017 at Tockwotton on the Waterfront in East Providence.
Edith was born in 1918 the daughter of Rodman Gardiner Rathbun and Lillian Nevin Rathbun. She graduated from Skidmore college and pursued her interest and academic focus in science and health throughout her long career. She first worked in Boston in very early cancer research conducted at the Huntington Memorial Hospital and later at Massachusetts General Hospital. A World War II veteran, she joined the US Navy in 1943 and was commissioned in the second class of WAVE officers. She was assigned to the Navel Medical Research Center in Bethesda, MD where she served through 1946. She continued her government service in Washington, DC at the Defense Department Office of Research and Development and later at the Science Division of the Library of Congress. She transferred to the Public Health Service where she was Special Assistant to the Director of Nursing for health manpower planning and resources. After retirement, she returned to Providence where she remained active in the field of health services. She was a long term member of the board of directors of the Providence Visiting Nurses Association. She maintained a lively interest in Rhode Island history and colonial ancestry. She was a member of the Providence Art Club, the RISD Museum, the Pottery and Porcelain Club, Preserve Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Historical Society. She was a member of the First Baptist church.
Edith enjoyed travel and the special pleasure of visiting family in Italy and Mexico. She was the sister of Virginia Stuart-Howard of Providence and the late Ruth Rathbun Pitman of Madera, CA. She also leaves seven nieces and nephews and fifteen great nieces and nephews to whom she was a devoted and much loved aunt.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to all the staff at Tockwotton on the Waterfront for their professional and affectionate care for Edith.
A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, 75 North Main St., Providence, R.I. 02903.
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Edith was born in 1918 the daughter of Rodman Gardiner Rathbun and Lillian Nevin Rathbun. She graduated from Skidmore college and pursued her interest and academic focus in science and health throughout her long career. She first worked in Boston in very early cancer research conducted at the Huntington Memorial Hospital and later at Massachusetts General Hospital. A World War II veteran, she joined the US Navy in 1943 and was commissioned in the second class of WAVE officers. She was assigned to the Navel Medical Research Center in Bethesda, MD where she served through 1946. She continued her government service in Washington, DC at the Defense Department Office of Research and Development and later at the Science Division of the Library of Congress. She transferred to the Public Health Service where she was Special Assistant to the Director of Nursing for health manpower planning and resources. After retirement, she returned to Providence where she remained active in the field of health services. She was a long term member of the board of directors of the Providence Visiting Nurses Association. She maintained a lively interest in Rhode Island history and colonial ancestry. She was a member of the Providence Art Club, the RISD Museum, the Pottery and Porcelain Club, Preserve Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Historical Society. She was a member of the First Baptist church.
Edith enjoyed travel and the special pleasure of visiting family in Italy and Mexico. She was the sister of Virginia Stuart-Howard of Providence and the late Ruth Rathbun Pitman of Madera, CA. She also leaves seven nieces and nephews and fifteen great nieces and nephews to whom she was a devoted and much loved aunt.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to all the staff at Tockwotton on the Waterfront for their professional and affectionate care for Edith.
A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, 75 North Main St., Providence, R.I. 02903.
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