Evelyn “Aunt Mary” Washburn, age 108 ½, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Mary was born on April 15, 1916 to the late Grover Cleveland and Evelyn (Mc Grane) Washburn. She graduated from Gouverneur High School in 1933 and then went on to St. Lawrence School of Nursing in Ogdensburg. She then joined the Naval Reserves during World War II and was stationed in Camp Perry, Williamsburg, Virginia as a nurse for 16 months and then had orders to depart with the Seabees for California and on to the war zone. However, fate interfered and by the time she arrived to the west coast, the battles were at an end. When she returned home, the GI bill allowed her to further her education at Columbia University in New York City and then she enrolled at Boston University for physical therapy and graduated with a Master’s in Rehabilitation Nursing. She worked in the Rochester area for two years and then came to work with the New York State Health Department and retired from there at the age of 55. She decided to work part-time as a in-home physical therapist with the Jefferson County Public Health Department for 18 years, before retiring again.
In her younger years, Mary belonged to a jazz band named Bud LaRue and his Eight Beautiful Girls and they played all over the area. Mary enjoyed spending time at her home on Clear Lake in Plessis. She enjoyed playing golf, was a world class scrabble player and loved ice cream and socializing.
Surviving is a nephew David Spilman Sr.; great nieces and nephews, Dale Spilman, Amy Robinson, Ann Marotta, Eric Spilman, Connie Stowell, David Spilman Jr., Shelly Dodds, Sherry Geer, Nancy Spilman, Natalie Spilman, Marty Spilman and Vanessa Wallace; and several great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews.
Mary is predeceased by her parents and a sister and brother-in-law, Jane E. and Jim Dyer; a nephew Kenly Spilman and niece Janine Wallace and two great nephews Paul Spilman and Luke Wallace.
After dedicating many years in the nursing field, Mary had decided to donate her body to science. She is currently the oldest recipient at the Upstate Science Medical Program. There will be a memorial service for Mary on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to St. James Church, Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley or to Friends 4 Pound Paws.