Anne Bethell Bertolin

Anne was born on July 26, 1926 in Yonkers, New York to James Gordon Bethell and Edith Mary Bethell. She attended Barnard College from 1945-1947 prior to enrolling in the Nursing Program at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1949. After graduation, Anne was employed at Presbyterian Hospital at Harkness Pavilion as a nursing supervisor.

Anne married Ralph J. Bertolin on November 16, 1950 and had four children. Anne and Ralph were divorced in 1968.

Anne was employed at St. Peter Hospital for 21 years, the last 14 as the Assistant Administrator for Patient Care Services. During her tenure at the hospital Anne earned a Master’s degree in nursing from the University of Washington. She retired from St. Peter Hospital in 1989.

After retiring from the hospital, Anne was an adjunct professor at St. Martin’s College for two years in the Bachelor Completion Program for Registered Nurses. She was also a presenter for state retirees on successful retirement lifestyles and provided customer service at the Amtrak train station in Olympia. Anne was active as a volunteer ombudsman for Thurston County. As an ombudsman, she acted as an advocate for people in long term care facilities. This was the most rewarding of all her endeavors in her retirement.

Anne was a strong advocate for patients’ rights and quality patient care. She enjoyed water skiing, playing the recorder, and making her famous plum pudding each Christmas for friends and family. She took great pleasure in her maturing years playing golf.

Anne is survived by her great good friend of 50 years Vicky Friend, four children, Gordon Bertolin of Arlington, VA, Hugh Bertolin of Olympia, WA, Bret Bertolin of Olympia, WA, and Louise Huntingford of Port Townsend, WA, and five grandchildren, Caroline Hillas of Bangkok, Thailand, Beth Bertolin of Alexandria, VA, Jonathan Huntingford of Port Townsend, WA, Emily Huntingford of Port Townsend, WA, and Brittany Bertolin of Olympia, WA.

Memorials may be sent to the Anne Bertolin Fund for Nursing Excellence at St. Peter Hospital, the Long Term Care Volunteer Ombudsman Program for Thurston, Mason and Lewis Counties, or the Morningside Community Rehabilitation Program in Olympia.

A celebration of Anne’s life will be held at Mills and Mills Funeral Home, 5725 Littlerock Road, Tumwater, WA, Saturday March 9, 2013 at 10:00 am.