Isabel Ella Demmon

of Fitchburg; 94

FITCHBURG -- Miss Isabel Ella Demmon, 94 of Fitchburg died September 14, 2012 in the Holyoke Soldier's Home Holyoke, MA after an illness. Isabel was born November 9, 1917 in Fitchburg daughter of George C. and Lula (Page) Demmon.

She was a 1935 graduate of Fitchburg High School, a 1940 graduate of Burbank Hospital School of Nursing and in 1950 received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Boston University. In 1980 she retired after working several years for Dr. Richard LaVigne M.D. She had been a Head Nurse at Lucy Helen Hospital Maternity Unit and then went to work for the Visiting Nurse Association, Fitchburg.

In 1942 she joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and served for over two years in the China, Burma, India Theater of World War II, where she became a 1st LT. After her discharge from the army she became Asst. Chief of Nursing at the V.A. Hospital, Manchester N.H. She owned a studio in Rockport where she created Mobiles, stabiles and jewelry from beach findings. She had the occasion to exhibit her work in the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit, NYC. She enjoyed a creative life writing as she traveled. Her writings included short stories, two book lengths and many poems including a collection of sea poems titled "A Sheath of Light" In 1981 her poem, "Child of The Sea" was inscribed in Braille on the sculpture "Aqueous" at the Michigan School of the Blind. In 1985 her manuscript "The Face Is The Same" was placed in the Nursing Archives at the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, Boston University. Miss Demmon was presented the Spirit of Nursing Award aboard the USS Constitution in 1997. In 2005 she was presented with the Outstanding Woman Veteran of the Year award. She was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Medal with 1 Bronze star, WWII Victory Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Button (Ruptured Duck) and the City of Leominster Medal. In 1988 she met and was photographed with Mother Teresa. She was a member of the Mother Church, First Church of Christ, Scientist Boston, a life member of the D.A.V. and a member of Family Link, a Veterans group whose purpose is to give moral support to those on active war zones and their families. In 2007 at the American Family Link meeting they celebrated her 90th birthday with a large banner and a picture of her in uniform.

Isabel leaves her twin sister Priscilla D. Peterson of Agawam, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her brother Philip A. Demmon and a sister Arlene Cross.

DEMMON -- A graveside service with Military honors will be held Saturday, September 29th at 10:00am in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fitchburg. There are no calling hours. Aubuchon-Moorcroft Funeral Home Fitchburg is assisting with arrangements. (www.aubuchon-moorcroftfuneralhome.com)