Ruth Satterfield Obituary

Col. Ruth Pacini Satterfield, ret. passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, March 1st at the age of 94. She will be remembered most for her contributions to the development and advancement of Anesthesia Nursing Education. While in the Army Nurse Corp., she served as "Course Director" from 1942-1956, followed by the position "Education Director of the Curriculum" from 1956-1968 for the Army School of Anesthesia. Ruth was also appointed as the first female consultant to the Surgeon General in 1961. She held this position until retirement in 1968. From 1968 through 1981, she served as an Educational Consultant to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. In 1985, she was awarded the title of "Consultant Emeritus to the Council on Accreditation" for the A.A.N.A. Ruth's professional awards and honors included "Second Oak Leaf Cluster" to the Army Commendation Medal, "Legion of Merit Award", "A" prefix for Military Occupational Specialty, "Amita Award", first recipient of the "Agatha Hodgkins Award" and the "Award for Distinguished Achievement in Nursing Practice" presented by the Alumni Association at Columbia University. Her nursing education began at Georgetown University Hospital in 1931, where she received her diploma in nursing. She continued to study attending Catholic University, Georgetown University, and Western Reserve University where she received her Certificate in Anesthesia, University of Rochester where she received her B.S. in nursing education and Columbia University where she received her Master's Degree in Nursing Education. A long time resident of El Paso, Ruth was born in Lewistown, PA. She was the daughter of Florence Shilling Pacini and John Pacini. She is preceded in death by her nine siblings: Veronica Pacini, Mary Pacini Russ, Ida Pacini Pugliese, Patricia Pacini, Thomas Pacini, Cloyd Pacini, John Pacini, Philip Pacini and Paul Pacini. She is survived by the Turner family, Mark, Norma, Cassandra and Jacob, who shared both their home and lives with her, along with many nieces and nephews including, Ruth Pacini Holt of Wilmingtion, DE and Mary Ann Pacini Kenningtion of Las Vegas, NV. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 pm, Thursday, March 6, 2008 with a vigil at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, March 7, 2008 at Christ the Savior Catholic Church. Interment will be at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 106 N. Dorcas St., Lewistown, PA, 17044. Service entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-Northeast. Please visit on-line register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.

Published by El Paso Times from Mar. 5 to Mar. 7, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Satterfield

7 Entries

Kathy Sercu

March 9, 2008

We were always excited when Aunt Ruth came to visit. She really knew how to have fun. I remember one time Aunt Ruth came over when we lived in the green house on the corner in Bowie, Maryland. We were all sitting in the living room talking. At one point we were talking about doctors and hospitals. I piped up and said: I know that when you’re sick you have to take all of your medicine or else you will be really sick. (I think I was all of eight or nine years old) I can still hear Aunt Ruth saying, “WELL, MY DEAR, that’s exactly right.”

Like my mother, Mary Lou, I didn’t know that Aunt Ruth was not my blood relative until I was twelve or thirteen. Since she wasn’t our Aunt by blood, I thought that meant she would no longer come over and we wouldn’t be able to talk to her on the phone. But she still came over and we still talked to her on the telephone, so I guess you could say that things went on as usual and she was still our Aunt Ruth.

She was very accomplished woman: She was smart-she shared that intelligence with everyone she taught; she was very caring and giving; she was also a very humble person who had a real love for the Lord. Aunt Ruth had more than her share of struggles in this life, but you would never know it from her positive attitude. She was a wonderful example of what it was to live a Christ-like life.

My sincerest condolences to: Mark, Norma, Cassandra and Jacob; Ruthie and Mary Ann; and her other countless and precious nieces and nephews. I know you will miss her, as I will too. May the Lord send you His comfort and peace in during this difficult time.

Kathy Malzone Sercu

Jaime Villalva

March 7, 2008

I'll always have fond memories of her. She kept teaching and learning, even up to her passing.I will always remember her the way she was strong yet with a loving personality. Thank you Ms. Satterfield for everything you have done for your beloved field of Nursing..your Hospice nurse Jaime

Joan Pacini

March 7, 2008

Dear Ruth,

I know you were tops and will be
remembered for your development and advancement of Anesthesia Nursing Education.

We were so proud that you were a Col in the Army. When you walked into a room, you sure made a statement.

But it was the unknown things you did for the church, family and friends that made you my role model.

May your soul rest in peace

Frank Maziarski

March 6, 2008

Dear Ruth: You were an example to me and a generation of CRNAs. Your leadership was the reason for the success of the Military and Civilian CRNA education programs.
You will always be in my prayers.
Frank T. Maziarski, LTC, ANC, Ret.

Mike Casey

March 6, 2008

Col. Satterfield,
Maam, I would just like to say thank you for your years of dedicated service and sacrifice for our Country when you served in the U.S. Army-especially during WW II. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

john garde

March 5, 2008

Dear Ruth---You taught all of us so much and were a role model to all nurse anesthetists in the world. You laid the Foundation for Anesthesia Education which is still used for safe patient care today.

Florence Pacini

March 5, 2008

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

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