Spring Break
Retired URI nursing professor, mentor passes after heart surgery
Mark Scialla
Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: News
04/08/09 - A retired University of Rhode Island nursing professor passed away on Saturday at Miriam Hospital following heart surgery.
Janet I. Hirsch, daughter of the late George Oscar Hirsch and Irma Pauline Hirsch, was born on July 31, 1931 in Providence and led an active life dedicated to medicine and her community. She attended Classical High School and received her RN from Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing where she worked in pediatrics and became head nurse of the Crawford Allen Unit. Hirsch went on to earn her B.S., M.S. and Ed.D degrees from Boston University.
Hirsch taught at Boston University before becoming a professor at URI, where she remained for 27 years before retiring in 1999. After her retirement, Hirsch managed to continue her involvement at URI by serving on many faculty committees and being available as a mentor to students at all times. She served on the South County Nursing Board, was in charge of the building committee at White Hall and helped with the planning of the new nurses commons in White Hall.
"She was a resource person for anyone at the university," cousin Anne Bowen said of Hirsch. "Her door was always open down there."
Hirsch's family, friends, former students and colleagues created the Dr. Janet I. Hirsch Endowment in 1996 to further the advancement of nursing education, and in 2006 URI awarded her with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Hirsch was a member of the North Kingstown Senior Center, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and worked with Planned Parenthood.
"[Hirsch] was very adventurous and full of energy. She put everybody else before herself; very caring and sharing. She helped the elderly around her home and she was always excited to see children learning," Bowen said.
Hirsch was an ardent follower of the arts and attended the theater symphony and ballet.
According to Dean of the College of Nursing Dayle Joseph, Hirsch was "legendary on campus. She was a superb teacher and all the students loved her."
Administrative secretary Ellen Cuomo said, "Janet's spirit was indefinable and immeasurable. She was always busy and volunteering. We should all be busy, beautiful and blessed like Janet when we're 80 years old."
Hirsch is survived by three brothers: Ernest G. Hirsch, Walter S. Hirsch and Peter T. Hirsch.
Services will be at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 55 Main St., Wickford, R.I., Thursday, April 9 at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Pocasset Cemetery in Cranston, R.I.
Janet I. Hirsch, daughter of the late George Oscar Hirsch and Irma Pauline Hirsch, was born on July 31, 1931 in Providence and led an active life dedicated to medicine and her community. She attended Classical High School and received her RN from Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing where she worked in pediatrics and became head nurse of the Crawford Allen Unit. Hirsch went on to earn her B.S., M.S. and Ed.D degrees from Boston University.
Hirsch taught at Boston University before becoming a professor at URI, where she remained for 27 years before retiring in 1999. After her retirement, Hirsch managed to continue her involvement at URI by serving on many faculty committees and being available as a mentor to students at all times. She served on the South County Nursing Board, was in charge of the building committee at White Hall and helped with the planning of the new nurses commons in White Hall.
"She was a resource person for anyone at the university," cousin Anne Bowen said of Hirsch. "Her door was always open down there."
Hirsch's family, friends, former students and colleagues created the Dr. Janet I. Hirsch Endowment in 1996 to further the advancement of nursing education, and in 2006 URI awarded her with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Hirsch was a member of the North Kingstown Senior Center, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and worked with Planned Parenthood.
"[Hirsch] was very adventurous and full of energy. She put everybody else before herself; very caring and sharing. She helped the elderly around her home and she was always excited to see children learning," Bowen said.
Hirsch was an ardent follower of the arts and attended the theater symphony and ballet.
According to Dean of the College of Nursing Dayle Joseph, Hirsch was "legendary on campus. She was a superb teacher and all the students loved her."
Administrative secretary Ellen Cuomo said, "Janet's spirit was indefinable and immeasurable. She was always busy and volunteering. We should all be busy, beautiful and blessed like Janet when we're 80 years old."
Hirsch is survived by three brothers: Ernest G. Hirsch, Walter S. Hirsch and Peter T. Hirsch.
Services will be at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 55 Main St., Wickford, R.I., Thursday, April 9 at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Pocasset Cemetery in Cranston, R.I.
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