Bess H. Medary - 1893-1987

MEDARY

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 1/17/2011 at 16:10:27

SOURCE: Waukon, Iowa, WAUKON DEMOCRAT, May 26, 1988
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Bess H. Medary, age 94, a resident of Tockwotton Home, Providence, Rhode Island, died November 12, 1987. A memorial service was held at Wilson Memorial Chapel of Central Congregational Church in Providence, RI. Her ashes were returned to Waukon, Iowa and were buried on Tuesday, May 24, 1988 in the Hale Family plot in the Oakland Cemetery, Waukon, Iowa.

She was born in Waukon, Iowa to Edgar F. and Emily (Hale) Medary. She had lived in Providence since 1923. She was a 1915 graduate of Cornell College, Mt.Vernon, Iowa. She received her masters degree in social work from the New York School of Social Work in 1918. In 1926, with Dr. Henry Wyler, she founded the first heart association in Rhode Island. She was a director of social services at Rhode Island hospital for 40 years before retiring in 1963. In the 1920's, she worked briefly for a family service agency in Indiana and was engaged by the American Red Cross to develop social service units in Denver, CO and Cleveland, OH, which were treating WWI casualties.
She was a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Hamilton House and Central Congregational Church, where she was active in the Leisure and Learning Program.

Surviving are 2 nephews, Charles Higbie of Bristol, Rhode Island, and William Medary of Ft.Worth, Texas, and a niece, Katherine Snelling of Antioch, California.