Eunice Breckenridge Ordman

Eunice Breckenridge Ordman

Memphis, TN

Eunice Breckenridge Ordman died at home in Memphis on April 16, 2016.

A graduate of Principia College, IL, she first taught college physics at the University of Idaho in 1946 and taught at several colleges before retiring from Memphis State University in 1987. She later taught in Denmark and the Faeroe Islands, and audited classes at the University of Memphis from 1988 to 2016. Volunteer activities included service at the YWCA Crisis Center for Abused Women in Memphis, as a Citizen's Dispute Mediator, and as President of the Memphis State University Wives. Before moving to Memphis in 1983 she lived for many years in New London, NH, where she was active at the First Baptist Church, chaired the town library trustees, and established the high school library.

A well-known interfaith activist and co-founder of the Memphis Inter-Religious Group, she was active in Balmoral Presbyterian Church and Temple Israel, and frequently attended events at Masjid As-Salaam and other houses of worship. Her interfaith work was honored by Muslims in Memphis in 2008 and the University of Memphis Association of Retirees in 2012. Nationally she was active in The Institute on Religion in an Age of Science, the Society for Values in Higher Education, and US Servas.

She believed strongly in helping people to help themselves, especially through education and micro-lending. In lieu of flowers she suggests donations to local charities such as Facing History, the Emmanuel Center, MIFA, Bridges, and Porter-Leath.

Eunice Eleanor Breckenridge was born May 3, 1924, in East Orange, NJ. She was preceded in death by her parents Wilbur Tobias Breckenridge and Leonora Floy Kile, her previous husbands Thomas Burnett Niles, Jr. and Richard Francis Stetson, and a daughter Mary Stetson. She is survived by her husband Edward Ordman, brother Wilbur T. Breckenridge Jr., a stepbrother and step-sister, children Thomas Niles, William Stetson, Beverly Stetson Skrukrud, and Carol Stetson McCardell, foster daughter Patricia Murphy Chase, honorary daughter Heidi Hill Tobin, step-children Arnold Stetson and Jilana Ordman, other honorary children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial Service will be Wednesday 2 p.m. at Balmoral Presbyterian Church, 6413 Quince Road.