Arline Ruth Kiven

KIVEN, ARLINE RUTH, 92, formerly of Providence, RI died peacefully Wednesday, June 18, 2008 in Riverside, surrounded by her loving family at the home of her daughter, Ruth Kiven Arellana. She was the wife of the late Nathan Joseph Kiven, MD.

Born in New York City on March 1, 1916, elder sister of identical twins, she grew up in Bohemia, NY and was the daughter of the late William Francis Ruth and Ruth Wilkinson Ruth.

Arline earned her RN from Mary Immaculate School of Nursing in New York. After a year and a half, she became one of the first airline stewardesses for American Airlines at a time when stewardesses were required to be registered nurses. After WWII, she and her husband Dr. Nathan Joseph Kiven moved to Rhode Island where he established his practice.

In 1950 Arline was diagnosed with malignant cancer in her leg, which led to its amputation. While naturally upset and depressed by the loss of her leg and thinking that her life was over, she was encouraged by her husband to return to school to pursue her interest in education.

Once established in Rhode Island, Arline became involved in community affairs. She served as President of the Providence League of Women Voters and later a director of the Rhode Island League of Women Voters. She was also a founding organizer of the Mt. Hope Day Care Center.

Arline returned to school in 1956 and earned her bachelors degree from Rhode Island College and a masters in history from Brown University. Her masters thesis was published by the Urban League as 'Then Why the Negroes: The Nature and Course of the Anti-Slavery Movement in Rhode Island: 1637-1861.' She taught history at the Community College of Rhode Island for almost twenty years until her retirement in 1984. In 1994 when the CCRI Foundation created its Hall of Fame, she was inducted as one of twelve charter members.

From 1961-1966, Arline served as a Representative of the 2nd District of Providence in the State Legislature. She was a leader of the fair housing movement and kept the issue of fair housing alive, despite threats against her life, until the first Fair Housing Act was passed in 1965. Highly principled and independent, Arline clashed with the male-dominated, tradition-bound Democratic party leaders. In addition, she sought mandatory car insurance, limits on campaign spending, and creation of a state ombudsman; she fought against locating a nuclear power plant in Charlestown and fought against legislation which would have reduced a woman's right to choice. As a testament to her zeal, in 1966 her district was eliminated through redistricting.

In 1988, she moved to Denver, Colorado, with her daughter to be near her son and his growing family. She loved to watch the weather marching from the mountains to the plains. Still independent, she tutored GED candidates, read to second grade students, served on the advisory council of the Volunteers of America, was active in the First Unitarian Church of Denver, of which she was president for a year, and served as a member of the coordinating committee of the Colorado Women for Dukakis.

Through her courage, independence, and adherence to her principles, Arline was a role model for her family and several generations of students. All the people whose lives she touched will dearly miss her.

In addition to her daughter Ruth Kiven Arellana, she leaves a son, Charles Wilkinson Kiven and his wife Kathleen, four grandchildren, Kate Bowden and her husband Russ Hopson, Peter Bowden and his wife, the Reverend Amy Freedman, Meagan Kiven and Nathan Kiven, two great grandchildren Lydia and Adelaide Hopson and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her twin sisters, Gladys Ruth Kanter, and Elaine Ruth Ohlsen.

A service will be held on Sunday, June 22, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. in the First Unitarian Church, 1 Benevolent Street, Providence. Visiting hours will be on Sunday preceding the service from 1-2 p.m. at Monahan, Drabble, Sherman Funeral Home, 230 Waterman Street, Providence. In lieu of flowers, donations in Arline's memory may be made to Beacon Hospice or UNICEF. Condolences, information and directions are available at monahandrabblesherman.com