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Helen M. Tobin, age 87 of Three Rivers, died Wednesday Feb. 17, 2010 at The Birches in Leonidas following a brief illness. She was born in Three Rivers on April 10, 1922 the daughter of Dr. Herman and Mary (Kirk) Tobin. She was a graduate of Three Rivers High School and later from the Borgess School of Nursing. She worked briefly at Three Rivers Hospital before entering the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1944. She was stationed at various posts in the U.S. and the Phillipines, and retired from the military as a Reserve Captain in 1954.
She continued her education and received her Masters Degree from the School of Nursing at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. She retired at Director of Nursing & Centralized Staff Development at the University Hospital in Cleveland in 1985. Helen received numerous awards reflecting her impact on nursing development and continuing education. She was the author of The Process of Staff Development, Components for Change in 1973. The highlight of her career was being the first staff development educator elected as a fellow to the American Academy of Nursing in 1977. Helen was most proud of her life-long goal to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her two brothers, Wendell and Forest Tobin; and by her older sister, Pauline. She is survived by 10 nieces and nephews; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Cremation has been conducted. A memorial service will be held on her birthday, April 10, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Three Rivers with Rev. Dr. Maria Rutland, officiating. Military interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to Three Rivers Health Hospice, the First United Methodist Church, or The Birches Adult Foster Care Home. Arrangements were by the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel of Three Rivers. An online register is available, and condolences may be left at www.efhchapel.com
