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ELIZABETH FINN Obituary
ELIZABETH PATRICIA FINN (Age 84)
Col. Elizabeth P. Finn died peacefully on October 21, 2014. She was born and raised in Hyde Park, MA and graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1948. She was one of 10 children of the late Robert and Mary Finn of Hyde Park, MA. Following high school she joined the Sisters of Charity Louisville, Ky. where she attending college and received her BS in nursing from Spaulding University. In 1966 she joined the Army Nurse Corps and for the next 20 years she served in a variety of positions including Head nurse of the 93rd Evacuation Hospital Long Bien, Vietnam. Other assignments include Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, Ft Bragg, NC, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas, Headquarters Health Service Command, Fort Sam Houston, and immediately prior to her retirement she was the Chief, Clinical Nursing, Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She also served as consultant to the Surgeon General in Medical Surgical Nursing. While on active duty she received numerous awards including the Bronze Star Medal and Legion of Merit. Following her retirement from the Army Nurse Corps she was the Assistant Chief Nurse, US Soldiers' and Airmen's Home in Washington, DC. Throughout her life she remained close to her church. She was a tireless volunteer traveling to Haiti to provide medical relief and ministered to sick in local communities. Her love of dogs was known to all. The world is a better place because Liz was here. She will be deeply missed by all who know her. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Historic Church, 9700 Rosensteel Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, on Friday, October 24, at 11:30 a.m. Interment Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com
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Memories and Condolences
for ELIZABETH FINN
Carolyn Knight, ANC, LTC(Ret)
October 16, 2021
I know her extended family must miss Liz because I still do. Just realized that she graduated from HS the year I was born and then joined the ANC the year I graduated from HS. She was 18 years older and wiser than I but had a very young spirit.
Larry Moss
October 16, 2020
Elizabeth, better known as Colonel, was the type of person that has left a never ending memory. Her dignity, grace and guiding hand will never be forgotten. I will cherish her memory forever.
Carolyn Knight
November 16, 2014
I had the great honor of working for COL Finn at Walter Reed in the late 1980s. She was dedicated and skillful but also fun with her feet clearly on the ground. She enthralled my Catholic husband when he learned she was a nun who had become an Army Nurse!She was and always will be an inspiration.
Liz Higgins
November 2, 2014
Sissay Awoke
October 31, 2014
I am deeply sorry to hear the passing of Ms. Elizabeth Finn. I had the opportunity to work with her in the Armed Forces Retirement Home. She was a very dedicated and professional nurse with extensive experience and great faith. We are going to miss her great contribution to make life better for the elderly
Sissay Awoke, M.D.
Larry Moss
October 29, 2014
Liz will be remembered as a most sincere person who was deeply devoted to and genuinely cared for those who served with her. She was truely a role model for all to emulate and her spiritual presence will always be with us.
Alice Stewart
October 27, 2014
RIP LIZ. Also Looking forward to tribute to her military career when she is laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery. [I remember the AFRH days.]
Peg Duchesne
October 26, 2014
Liz was such a caring and thoughtful individual. She cared for others with such grace and joy. Liz is missed by many and her loss is felt far and wide. Looking forward to tribute to her military career when she is laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery. Her service as a nurse in Viet Nam and throughout her Army career is impressive, indeed. I will also remember Liz for Her strong sense of faith.
Sr. Magdalen K.
October 24, 2014
I will always remember Liz as a woman of deep faith, who had a great heart, a sense of humor, and keen eyes to notice those who were in any need. Her welcoming presence and her readiness to serve meant a lot to me and to many others who had the privilege to know her. She has fought the good fight, she has run the course, she has kept the faith, and now the crown of righteousness awaits her.
With love and prayers, Sr. Magdalen
Carol Muskin
October 24, 2014
Liz was the center and the light of our neighborhood!
Carol Muskin
October 24, 2014
All of us on Sharon Drive in Silver Spring are missing Liz terribly. She was a wonderful neighbor and for years helped to organize our annual block party. We lived right across the street for 9 years and our cat, C.C., loved to go across the street to wait for Liz to come outside to pet her!
Carol Muskin- 1508 Sharon Dr.
Richard McGinnis
October 24, 2014
I could be sad, and am. But, what a woman of faith. She got me to contribute to Michael's House, a ministry to the elderly poor in Africa, she was a force behind the inception of a prison ministry which operated for years at her church. She got me to start reading the National Catholic Reporter. I wish she could have stayed around forever. In one way, she is still with us. In another, she will be around forever.
October 24, 2014
thank you Elizabeth for being a great Army Nurse and mentor.
October 24, 2014
always remembered everyday as the most caring and devoted friend and nurse to all who were privileged to know you. you will be missed by all. now u are at peace in your new place in heaven. love Joanie
Joe Drabick
October 23, 2014
Hi Liz, I know you are reading this and probably having a laugh. You were and are the best!! A Soldier, Nurse, Nun, Friend and Human Being for a start. God Bless You. I salute you!
Stephanie Finn - Noresca
October 23, 2014
God bless Aunt Liddy . I will never forget when I was in basic training for the Air Force at age 17. You sent me a nice letter of encouragement to help motivate me and get me thru . You seemed to know what I was going thru being so far from home . Later when I had my daughter at a family reunion I told you that I was going to finish nursing school and you told me that you believed I definitely would . Well I did . Thanks for your encouragement thru the years . And for being a strong female role model for the family .
Little Dennis
October 23, 2014
I just read Aunt Lydy's obit. Wow, I realize now how I never knew her. What an inspiration. Thank you Aunt Lydy.
Cherylann Cappoli
October 22, 2014
Aunt Liddy, You are in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in Peace
Jennifer Finn
October 22, 2014
Aunt Liddy, you were a guiding beacon to all the women of the Finn Family. I will never forget you. You showed love and compassion to all. We will miss you!! Till we meet again :)
Carol (Reineck) Huebner
October 22, 2014
COL Finn was a compassionate and gifted clinician. She guided me in my first assignment at Walter Reed and later encouraged my growth as a new Head Nurse again at WRAMC. I shall miss her sense of humor and the twinkle in her eye. Liz, I know you are in the Lord's loving arms.
Roy Harris
October 22, 2014
COL Finn's passing marks the loss of an absolute wonderful person, nurse and officer in the Army Nurse Corps. The news of her passing has swept the Army Nurse Corps and there has been an out pouring of comments recognizing the sense of loss for all of us. She touched so many patients, nurses and other health care providers during a lifetime of service. May the good Lord bless and keep her family in His peace.
Elizabeth Higgins
October 22, 2014
Aunt Liddy , You will always remain an inspiration to me as you were when I was a child and now as an adult. Your life was a great influence on your family and friends. I will miss you,Elizabeth (Betty) (Liz) Higgins
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