Theda F. Colby Obituary (1919 - 2014)

Waterville Theda F. Colby, RN, and "Nana" to most that knew her, died peacefully at her longtime Waterville home on Sunday, January 26th. She was born in Vanceboro, ME on November 22, 1919, the daughter of Harold A. and Effie Grant Scribner. She graduated from Vanceboro High School in 1937 and immediately went into nursing training at McLean Hospital and Children's Hospital. In 1941 she graduated from the Augusta General School of Nursing. She began her nursing career as an industrial nurse at Pratt and Whitney's Hamilton Standard Division in Hartford, Connecticut. After her husband returned home from World War II, she moved to Waterville, Maine, and worked at Thayer Hospital and thereafter Mid Maine Medical Center, serving in various roles as staff nurse, nursing supervisor and clinical administrator from 1952 until her retirement in 1984. After retirement, Theda was a volunteer nurse for Hospice and also shared her love and affection for children by providing day care for a few special toddlers. She maintained her independence to the very end of her wonderful life and continued to enjoy the simple pleasure of having a cup of coffee at the local Burger King or Villager restaurant and chatting with her longtime friend Barbara Morrison. She excelled at growing the tallest dahlia's in the neighborhood, cooking the very best baked beans, fudge, and toll house cookies, rocking in her favorite chair, reading every book she could get her hands on, and offering the best and most unconditional love one could ever ask for. Theda is reunited with her husband, James J. Colby, her daughter Kathryn Colby McInnis and her three siblings; Sisters Thelma Ray of Pittsfield, Maine, and Anna Saulnier of Windsor, Connecticut and a brother, Harold Scribner, of Skowhegan, Maine Theda is survived by a son, William E. Colby, of Syracuse, New York, and his wife Sally, grandsons Mark J. McInnis and Carl Palmer and granddaughters Sheryl Palmer and Dr. Amy Colby, as well as several great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Visiting hours and a funeral service will be held from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Wed., Jan. 29, 2014 at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville with Rev. Joseph Daniels officiating. Burial will be in the spring in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Waterville. An on line guest book may be signed and condolences may be expressed at www.gallantfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Theda's name may be made to the Kathryn Colby McInnis Scholarship Fund c/o Advancement Services, Thomas College, 180 West River Road, Waterville, Maine 04901.