LUCY RAWLINGS TOOTELL

TOOTELL, LUCY RAWLINGS (1911-2010), 98 Former State Representative, of Ann Lane, North Kingstown, formerly of Kingston and Richmond, died January 5, 2010 at Roberts Nursing Home, NK. She was the widow of the late Frederic D. Tootell, who was a former teacher, coach and athletic director at the University of Rhode Island, a 1924 Olympic Gold Medalist in Paris and one of the head track and field coaches at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Lucy was an excellent golfer and tennis player and was known for her bridge playing skills, dancing, singing and her knowledge of local history.

Born November 27, 1911 in Jacksonville, Illinois she was the daughter of the late Lucy Irene Gammell Rawlings, a former dramatics arts director at Rhode Island State College, now URI, and Roy Willard Rawlings, the last Republican Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Lucy was also the sister of the late State Senator Rob Roy Rawlings of Richmond, sister-in-law of his late wife Barbara Tefft Rawlings and the aunt of their son Roy Edgar Rawlings.

Lucy is survived by three daughters; Diana Harvey of North Kingstown, Joan Tootell of Gloversville, NY and Karen Boisvert and her husband George of Glocester, RI. and four grandchildren; LCDR Lucy Michelle Smith, USNR (Retired), of Springfield, VA, LTJG Stephanie Boisvert, USN, of Washington, DC, Bradford Boisvert of East Windsor, CT and Justine Boisvert of Glocester. She is also survived by two stepchildren; Dr. Geoffrey Howland Tootell of San Jose, CA and Natalie Tootell Oliver of Capitola, CA and six stepgrandchildren; Megan Tootell-Harmon, Faith Tootell, Mary Mueller and Dr. Michael Whelan Oliver all of CA, Keith Oliver of CO, Dr. Geoffrey Tootell of MA and nine stepgreat-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her grandson Douglas Smith, stepgrandson Sean Whelan Oliver and stepgranddaughter Victoria Tootell.

She attended South Kingstown High School for three years and graduated with honors from Westerly High School in 1929. Lucy also graduated with honors from Rhode Island College of Education in 1933 and went on to teach at Roger Williams Junior High School and at the Richmond Elementary School. She attended law school at Boston University, attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City during the summer of 1934 and Northwestern University, where she was offered the directorship of their famed children's theatre.

Mrs. Tootell was Vice-President of the Wood River Branch Railroad and was the curator and archivist of the Kingston Little Rest Museum, which she organized and developed. Lucy was a lecturer and an author of many local history publications, books and slide shows. She helped organize and was elected the first president of both the Pettaquamscutt and Richmond Historical Societies and helped to organize the Charlestown Historical Society. Lucy was a board member of the League of Rhode Island Historical Societies and an active member of the Richmond and National Grange. She also served as Council Commissioner of the Rhode Island Girl Scout Organization.

In 1970, Mrs. Tootell was elected to the Richmond School Committee and, in 1972, was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives from Chariho District #52. She was selected as 'Woman of the Year' by the Chariho Business and Professional Women's Club in 1974. In 1975, she spoke with President Gerald Ford in the Rose Garden of the White House, as a RI representative of the American Bicentennial Commission. Lucy was a recipient of the 'John Nicholas Brown Award,' presented by The League of RI Historical Societies in 1982.

In 1997, in recognition of her distinguished achievements in the field of and preservation of history, Mrs. Tootell was presented the 'Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters' at the University of Rhode Island by President Robert L. Carothers.

Burial will be private and calling hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations will be greatly appreciated in Lucy's memory to Hospice of Rhode Island, the North Kingstown Free Library, the Richmond Historical Society or the Langworthy Public Library in Hope Valley, RI. For guest book and condolences, averystortifuneralhome.com