Ethel Fern Delouche, always known as Fern, was born on September 11th 1923. She was the fifth of six children born to Dr. James Garcia and Ethel Belle Manley, the only child not delivered by her father as he was out of town delivering another baby. Idalia, Colorado was the town she grew up in she lived through the dust bowl era and many changes that would come during the 1900’s. Running was her passion as a child. During World War II she entered the army to serve her country along with four of her brothers and sisters. She was honorably discharged from as a Physical Therapist and a Second Lieutenant in 1945.
From 1945 until her 80’s she helped hundreds of patients beginning with soldiers returning from the War and persons afflicted with Polio to neurological, cardiac and so persons afflicted with so many other disabilities too numerous to name. Always furthering her education she was fortunate to be able to study with Dr. Herman Kabot and Maggie Knott learning the techniques of a new neuromuscular technique entitled PNF, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. Throughout her long career this love of knowledge continued and she was constantly attending seminars and classes to further her skills.
In 1957 she met and married her only love William Delouche and became the mother of four children Daniel, Lucienne, Janine and Jacqueline. In addition she is survived by seven grandchildren Dane, Nicole, Max, Zachary, Maddison, Kiernan and Christian and a great grandchild Jade.
The University of Denver was one of her first places of employment until 1977. Until she moved to Cape Cod to become the Head of the Rehabilitation at Barnstable County Hospital. She retired from Barnstable County and very shortly afterwards, as she was not one to retire as she loved her chosen career and people, she became the Head of Rehabilitation at Bourne Manor. Still on the move she began to work for the VNA treating many patients until the age of 80.
Stitch and Bitch was the name of the sewing group she belonged to and with that group of friends she traveled to Florida and across Europe. She was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church until her health would not allow it. Her greatest love was for her family and she was the best mother, grandmother and great grandmother that anyone could have ever have hoped for. She was a kind and gentle soul who brought sunshine and love and she will be greatly missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home 40 MacArthur Blvd. Interment with military honors at the Massachusetts National Cemetery Bourne. Visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 9, 2019.
