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August 27,
2004
MHC
Milestones
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In
Memoriam: Ruth Elvedt, professor emeritus of
physical education and athletics, died June 28 in Holyoke,
Massachusetts. “Elvie,” as
she was known, received her degree in physical education
from Simmons College, earned a master of science degree
at Wellesley, worked at Abbott Academy, and was part
of the MHC faculty from 1944 until her 1982 retirement.
She was a national pioneer in therapeutic swimming and an innovator in teaching
methods in canoeing and skiing. In 1968 she spent a sabbatical at the Olympic
games in Grenoble, France, where she observed the teaching methods of world-class
instructors and then incorporated their methods with her own. For the same purpose,
she spent a sabbatical in the 1980s working with a group of orthopedic doctors
studying therapeutic swimming.
A passionate golfer, she became manager of the MHC gold team in 1970. In 1972
she cochaired the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women national
golf championship, and in 1987 assisted in the sponsorship of the USGA girls’ junior
championship at the College’s Orchards Golf Course. She was a member for
12 years of The Orchards’ executive board, was Orchards’ Woman of
the Year in 1995, chairwoman of the rules committee, and winner of many awards
and tournaments. The annual award presented to the winner of the Mount Holyoke
Women’s Golf Invitational is named in her honor.
Last year, Elvie was made an honorary member of the Alumnae Association—a
rarely bestowed distinction—in recognition of and appreciation for her
contributions and exceptional commitment to MHC alumnae.
Elvie had no immediate family, but hundreds of friends and alumnae loved her
dearly and will remember her fondly. A memorial service to celebrate Elvie’s
life is scheduled for Monday, September 20, at 4 pm in Abbey Chapel.
The
counter is
803
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