Obit of Abraham, Alice Ristine - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 4 Dec 2004 Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Abraham, Alice Ristine Alice Ristine Abraham died at home September 10 from congestive heart failure and cancer. She was born on June 10, 1911 in Port Angeles, WA to George and Edith Ristine. Alice received her RN degree in 1934 from the Columbus Hospital School of Nursing in Seattle. She practiced in Port Angeles and Ypsilanti, MI before being commissioned in WWII as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army in June 1941. She had several stateside postings and was promoted to Captain before being certified as a Flight Nurse at Bowman Field, KY in August 1943. She was deployed to the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations as Chief Nurse of the 820th Medical Air Evacuation Squadron with the 5th Air Force where she accumulated 400 flight hours flying from bases in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. Alice received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with 4 Battle Stars, the American Defense Service Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal before being honorably discharged from the service in December 1945. She met her husband, Colonel Robert Abraham, US Army (Ret), at Camp Wheeler, GA. They married in November 1943 in Chesterfield, SC and she soon after deployed to the South Pacific and he to the European Theater of the war. After her discharge from the Army, Alice accompanied her husband and two children to postings in Germany, New Mexico, Georgia, Puerto Rico, North Carolina and Oklahoma, where they made their final home in Bethany. Alice raised her children before returning to nursing from 1966 to 1973 on the Obstetrics and Gynecology Ward at St. Anthony Hospital. She retired and then spent the next 15 years caring first for her mother and then her husband's aunt in the family home in Bethany. Alice enjoyed sewing, quilting and organic gardening and especially loved sharing the bounties of her flower and vegetable gardens with her neighbors and friends. Although gardening was her passion, she also enjoyed reading and watching political and educational programs, and was most knowledgeable of and conversant in many subjects. She was an animal lover, never turning away the many strays that found their way to her various doorsteps throughout her life. Alice was also an accomplished pianist who gave lessons to the children of several friends in Puerto Rico and North Carolina. She also served as an assistant Girl Scout Troop Leader while in Puerto Rico. Most importantly, she was a gracious, compassionate and dignified lady and a much beloved friend to many, never judgmental and ever accepting of everyone, regardless of their station in life. Besides being survived by her husband of 59 years, she leaves behind her daughter, Deborah Abraham and son-in-law, Robert William Gawel of Colleyville, TX. She was preceded in death by her son, Robert R. Abraham, US Navy (Ret), in 1992. She is also survived by cousins Thomas Haig, Black Earth, WI; R. Bruce Haig, Half Moon Bay, CA; and Jane Sylvester and Joan Nicely of Widby Island, WA. The family extends their grateful appreciation to the staff of 3-N at Deaconess Hospital and Hospice of Oklahoma County for the care given Alice in her final weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice, UNICEF or animal charity of your choice. Respects may be paid to Alice at a memorialtribute at Guardian West on Friday and Saturday, September 13 and 14, 8 AM to 5 PM. Private services and interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery where her son is also buried. GUARDIAN WEST 41 & N. MacArthur 495-9292 Published in the Oklahoman from 9/11/2002 - 9/13/2002. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html