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Show A-12 The Park Record W Obituary ay we were Joyce Fisher Mitchell The Miners Hospital's first patrons Mahala Ruddell, Research coordinator The story of the Miners Hospital has been told many times. Founded in 1904 with money contributed from miners' paychecks and with the backing of the union, the hospital was the first in Park City, finally eliminating the need for the sick and injured to endure the long and uncomfortable journey to Salt Lake City. But often missing from the narrative are those who ran the hospital from the inside: the nurses who cared for the patients and oversaw day-to-day operations. The land for the hospital was donated by Eliza Nelson, wife of Colonel John A. Nelson. Their daughter Mamie V. Nelson was chosen as the hospital's first matron, though because of a "disagreement with management," served less than one month. She was followed by Isabel Grant. Though "matron" is now an antiquated term in the United States, in the early Twentieth Century it was the respected title for the most senior nurse. The matron was responsible for the entire staff under her, including other nurses and domestic staff. Although she essentially ran the hospital with regards to everyday matters, seeing to patient care and operational efficiency, as a woman she had virtually no conclusive say with the board of directors who always called the final shots when it came to management. Isabel Grant was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, and came Wed/Thurs/Fri, April 29-May 1, 2015 to Utah near the turn of the Twentieth Century. She spent time in both Salt Lake City and Park City and received her nurse's training from KeoghWright Hospital in Salt Lake City. The Keogh-Wright was a private hospital that treated patients of varied backgrounds, from injured miners brought in from the mountains to society men and women struck down with appendicitis. During her time at the hospital, Isabel treated countless injured miners, preparing her well for her term at the Miners Hospital. She graduated from KeoghWright in early 1904 and began working at the Miners Hospital that same year. The Park Record reported that she did "very efficient work," and that she was popular with both her patients and the townspeople. In 1906, Isabel resigned her position to marry William D. Buck, also from Nova Scotia and resident of Park City. The two had met through family. William was nephew to William Buck Sr., co-owner of the Welsh, Driscoll, and Buck grocery store. He became superintendent of the Silver King Coalition mill, a position he held from 1906-1914. In 1914, Isabel and William moved back to Nova Scotia to take up farming. Isabel died suddenly of a heart attack in 1927, at just 47 years old. The Park Record reported the death and noted that she and William had kept in touch with "their ‘old home- 1929 ~ 2015 Joyce Fisher Mitchell, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away unexpectedly on April 23, 2015. She was born June 4, 1929, to George Muir and Avis Brown Fisher. She was the youngest of five children. She lived in Park City, Utah, in her early life, graduating from Park City High School. She married John Mitchell in June of 1949 and was later sealed in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. She was a longtime resident of Kamas Valley. She loved to travel, play bunko, watch the Utah Jazz, and spend time with her senior friends. Joyce is survived by her children Cathie (Jerry) Lewis, Karen Lefler, Sharon Larsen, Jim (Gloria) Mitchell, Scott (Lisa) Mitchell, Peggy (Mike) Lee, and Bonnie (Tyke) Walsh; 25 grandchildren; and 43 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Florence Wride, brother-inlaw Butch Mitchell and sisterin-law Joyce B. Mitchell. She is preceded in death by her husband John, son-in-laws Phil Lefler and Keith Larsen, her parents, and brothers Earl, Park City Historical Society and Museum, Himes-Buck Digital Collection Isabel Grant, senior nurse at the Miners Hospital from 1904-1906. town' through the columns of The Record, never missing an issue during their long absence." They "have many friends in Park City," the Re- ABOVE IT ALL ON MAIN STREET. HAND CRAFTED COCKTAILS - LOUNGE MENU ITEMS UNDER $10 DINNER NIGHTLY 5PM | SUNDAY BRUNCH 540 MAIN STREET - 2ND FLOOR FOR DINNER RESERVATIONS (435) 649-3536 RIVERHORSEPARKCITY.COM cord said, "who will be pained to hear" of her passing. Join us here next week for a look at Isabel Grant's successors at the Miners Hospital. E-edition Joyce Fisher Mitchell Marvin and Dale. Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 28, at the Marion Stake Center in Marion, Utah. Interment followed at the Marion Cemetery. Online condolences and guest book at www.crandallfhevanston.com Free with your paper subscription! 1 year: $48 2 years: $90 Go to parkrecord.ut.newsmemory.com or follow the link on parkrecord.com |