Elisabeth Ward Trowbridge, known to family members and friends as "Betty," died in Klamath Falls on Aug. 13, 2008, at the age of 101.
She was born in Newark, N.J., on Sept. 4, 1906, the daughter of a physician who made house calls in a horse and buggy.
She graduated from medical school herself in 1932 at a time when there were few women physicians. She practiced obstetrics and was a strong advocate for women's health services.
In 1939, she married Frederick Trowbridge and they raised three children while both worked full time.
They moved from New Jersey to Cleveland, Ohio, where she worked in the Cleveland Clinic, then to Houston, Texas, and Boise, Idaho. In the latter, she served as the medical director of the Mountain States Institute Breast Cancer Detection Program until her retirement at the age of 79.
Betty moved to Klamath Falls in 1985 and continued her active lifestyle. She volunteered for hospice well into her 90s and also served as a hospital guild volunteer.
She was a member of PEO and AAUW.
As a physician, Betty impacted the health and well-being of thousands of her patients who appreciated her care and skill. Her family will always remember her for her quiet thoughtfulness, her dedication to the happiness and well-being of others, and her stress on the importance of family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Joan and Jon Wayland of Klamath Falls; her sons and daughters-in-law Frederick and Jane Trowbridge of Atlanta, Ga., and John and Vickie Trowbridge of Cloverdale, Calif.; plus seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to a PEO scholarship fund for women (checks payable to PEO Foundation-Oregon Chapter U c/o Denny Fullerton, 262 Bisbee St., Klamath Falls, OR 97603) or to Sky Lakes Nurses Education Fund, Sky Lakes Medical Center Foundation, 2865 Daggett Ave., Klamath Falls, OR 97601.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, at 4 p.m. in the Terrace Room at Crystal Terrace. Inurnment will be private at Klamath Memorial Park. Eternal Hills Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Published in Herald And News on Aug. 15, 2008