Bainbridge resident Mary Elizabeth “Mary Beth” C. Duchaine, age 62, died March 23.
She was born April 28, 1940 in Bridgeton N.J.
She and her husband Richard settled on Bainbridge Island in 1991 after having lived in Florida, Connecticut, New York, and Germany.
Nursing was her profession, and after 40 years she retired as the executive director of Hospice of Kitsap County.
She joined Hospice as their director of nursing, and shortly thereafter was appointed interim executive director. Because of her leadership, the position was made permanent. She left with reluctance when her health would not allow her to continue.
She was proud of helping open a neighborhood health care center in Peekskill, N.Y., which recently celebrated is 26th year of service.
Among her many interests were gardening, sewing, needlecraft and taking in nature while sailing. Her life was filled with music through singing, conducting children’s choirs and attending the symphony.
She was an active member of Washington State Nurses Association, the American Cancer Society, the Washington State Oncology Nursing Society, Washington State Hospice Organization, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church and the Silverdale Rotary, where she served on their long-range planning committee.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Richard A. Duchaine; daughter Suzanne Rodgers, her husband Jeff and children Michael, Daniel, Keith and Adam of Kissimmee, Fla.; mother Elizabeth F. Correll of Hobe Sound Fla.; brother W. Ralph Correll of Parsippany, N.J.; and sisters Carolyn Correll and Judy Schleicker of Stuart, Fla.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. April 1 at Saint Cecilia Catholic Church, Bainbridge Island.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice of Kitsap County, PO Box 3416, Silverdale, WA 98383-3416.
Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island.