Ethel L. Kilbride

PORTLAND - Ethel L. Kilbride, 96, of Capisic Street, died Tuesday, August 23, 2011, at Maine Medical Center with her loving family by her side. She was born in Webster, Maine at the Davis family farm on July 18, 1915, the daughter of Lee W. Sr. and Agnes Judge Davis. She attended local schools, graduating from Lewiston High School. Ethel had fond memories of her life on the farm which she continued to share with family and friends throughout her life. She went on to further her education at Boston University and Boston College receiving her Registered Nurse's degree from Boston City Hospital and Captain John Adams Hospital in Chelsea, MA. Ethel married Edward H. Kilbride of Portland, Maine. Together they were long time communicants of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Portland where she was active with the Bazaar, church craft groups and the soup kitchen. Ethel was a dedicated and compassionate nurse who took great pleasure in caring for others. Her career started as a Nurse Officer 1st Lt. in the U.S. Public Health Service, military division, for five years during World War II. She worked as a registered nurse at various hospitals including Maine Medical Center, City Hospital (now the Barron Center) and the Marine Hospital. She worked ten years as an industrial nurse at the Gulf Western Rockwood Co. in South Portland and a civil service employee with the U.S. Public Health Service for twenty years retiring in 1980. She was a member of the American Legion, Harold Andrews Post of Portland, ME, a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and a longtime member of the Maine State Nurses Association. Ethel was predeceased by her loving husband on March 5, 1968, three sisters Elizabeth Davis, Emma Harris and Mildred Finn, three brothers Lee Jr., Benjamin and Melville Davis. She is survived by her daughter Nancy Kilbride of Portland, along with many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, August 26, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 10:15 on Saturday, August 27, 2011 followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Church, 1342 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, 1461 Broadway, South Portland. Online Condolences for Ethel Kilbride