#1-Printed in the April 9, 1936 Pilot Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

Death Ends Her Dream of Home

Mrs. Anthony DeVecchis, 34, is Dead at Her Home in Atlantic City

Death came this week to Mrs. Anthony DeVecchis, 34, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, formerly of Blair, and ended her dream of a happy home and security just as it was beginning to be realized.

Mrs. DeVecchis died late Monday night in an Atlantic City hospital after suffering eight years from a spinal injury, sustained while helping a patient while she was a nurse in a Philadelphia hospital.

She leaves her husband and two small children, Michael Peter, 6, and Jean Lorraine, 2.

A Blair Graduate

As Ellen Nora Peterson, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter F. Peterson, she was born near Spiker March 28, 1902. The family later moved to Blair, residing at South street and Walker avenue for many years. She was graduated from Blair high school, and entered the University of Nebraska, pursuing a medical course. She quit her studies before receiving a degree, and became a nurse, following this occupation until her marriage to Anthony DeVecchis in Atlantic City in August, 1928.

She received her spinal injury shortly before her marriage.

Tribulations beset Mr. and Mrs. DeVecchis the year following their marriage. Her injury kept her abed much of the time. When the depression hit the East, the large hotel in which DeVecchis operated a thriving barber shop closed its doors. Two children born to the couple died in infancy.

Death Ends Plans

In 1932 the family came to Blair, Mr. DeVecchis working in a local barber shop for more than a year. After returning to Atlantic City in August, 1933, DeVecchis again secured employment as a barber. This spring things were beginning to look better, and they were making plans to own a home of their own. Death interfered.

Surviving in addition to the husband and two children are three brothers, Fred F. and John H. Peterson of near Herman, and Harold O. Peterson of Riverhead, New York; and a sister, Mrs. W.H. Rahlfs of Arlington. Another relative, Mr. DeVecchis’ brother, is personal physician to Premier Mussolini in Italy. Mrs. DeVecchis’ mother died January 20, 1936.

#2-9 Apr., 1936 - The Enterprise

FORMER ELLEN PETERSEN DIES IN NEW JERSEY

Young Woman Doctor Made Scholastic Records Here

Blair relatives on Tuesday received a message from Atlantic City, N. J., informing them of the death earlier that day of Mrs. Anthony DeVecchis, following an operation. News of Mrs. DeVecchis’ death came as a shock to members of the family and to her friends here, none of whom knew she had been in ailing health. Save for the fact that she had died, there were no details given in the message, and none have since been received by members of the family.

Born Ellen Petersen, Mrs. DeVecchis was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter F. Petersen, for many years well known farmers of the county and later residents of Blair, where they lived in the family home on the corner of South street and Walker Avenue.

She was educated in the Blair schools, where she made a brilliant record, graduating with the class of 1919, at least two years in advance of the regular progressive schedule. She then enrolled in the University of Nebraska medical school at Omaha where she continued to make a remarkable scholastic record, and shortly after she reached 21, she had been awarded her M.D. degree.

Too young to practice medicine, Mrs. DeVecchis completed her internship in a New York City hospital; did considerable laboratory work and spent only a short time in general practice. While visiting her mother here she met and married Mr. DeVecchis, and departed with him a few months later for the east, where she had made her home since that time at Atlantic City.

Relatives say Mrs.DeVecchis had just become 34 years old a short time before her death. Inasmuch as the message specified no plans for internment here, it is presumed by Blair relatives that the rites and burial will be held at Atlantic City or at some nearby point.

Surviving are three brothers and one sister. The are Fred F., John H., and Mrs. Inger Rahlf, all of whom live on farms in Washington county, and Harold O. Petersen, a radio engineer of Riverbed N.Y. The mother died here January 19 this year.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave memorial # 114544262