ETHEL LILY MAY THORPE R.N., M.A., M.B.E.

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ETHEL LILY MAY THORPE R.N., M.A., M.B.E. Ethel passed away peacefully at the Riverview Health Centre, Winnipeg, MB on December 4, 2001. Ethel was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Donald and Peter; and her sisters. Ethel was born and raised in Norwich, England where she received her early education. She went in training for her nursing degree at Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich and the Royal Free Hospital in London. After joining the Royal Army Nursing Corps in March 1940, as 1st Lieutenant, Ethel saw service in military hospitals in Iran (then Persia), Iraq, Egypt, and India, completing her war service in 1947 as Lieutenant Colonel. Following her discharge from service in April 1947, Ethel was appointed Matron of the County Hospital in Shanghai, China. With the collapse of the National Chinese Government in 1948, Ethel was evacuated to England. In 1950 she was appointed Matron of Bellevue Hospital, Jamaica, a post she held until 1963. She then immigrated to Canada following her appointment as Nursing Consultant to the Sanatorium Board of Manitoba. When she retired from the Sanatorium Board in 1973 Ethel went on to enroll at the University of Manitoba, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976 and Master of Arts (Anthropology) in 1982. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the nursing profession in 1981 Ethel was awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal by the International Committee of the Red Cross Society. Following her retirement from the Sanatorium Board Ethel not only went to university, but she also took a post at the St. Norbert Nursing Home as a Night Supervisor. Her service there was a very fulfilling time as she not only enjoyed looking after her patients but she made so many good friends. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 13 at 3:00 p.m.in the Worship Center, Riverview Health Care Centre. A private interment will be held at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens at a later date. Sincere thanks to the staff of CD 4 at the Riverview Health Care Centre for their kindness and compassionate attention to Ethel. Flowers gratefully declined; donations in Ethels memory may be made to the Riverview Health Centre Foundation or to a charity of ones choice. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN EDEN FUNERAL HOME 4477 MAIN STREET 338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2001