(06/12/14) North Kingstown - Elinor (Watt) Narcessian, 96, died Monday, June 9, 2014 at Scalabrini Villa Health Care where she resided for the past seven years. She was the wife of the late Hurach Paul Narcessian, DMD.
Born in Upper Darby, PA, a daughter of the late Elwood and Eva (Shoester) Watt, she worked as a registered nurse at Cooper Hospital, Camden, NJ. When World War II broke out in December 1941, she, along with medical doctors, dentists and nurses, formed “The 61st Station Hospital”. Activated in June 1942 at Fort Hancock, NJ, the 61st Station was the first in military history to be formed from a community hospital. As a part of the 61st, Elinor served with distinction in the United States Army Nurses Corps in Tunisia, North Africa and Foggia, Italy earning her the European, African and Middle Eastern ribbons; three bronze stars and a presidential unit citation.
She married Dr. Narcessian, who was also a part of the 61st Station, on September 15, 1944. After the war, she and her husband made their home in Woonsocket where she would become active in the YWCA Art Club, the Hospital Aid Society, the Women’s Society and the ladies auxiliary of the Dental Society. She also assisted her husband in his dental practice located in Woonsocket. The Narcessians moved to Warwick in 1983.
She was a member of Woodridge United Church of Christ Congregational, Cranston & its Women\'s Auxiliary. She was a member of the American Legion and charter member of the Women’s Military Service for America Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. She enjoyed oil painting and over the years her paintings won several awards. For more than 15 years she travelled with her husband as he competed in the hammer throw in the Senior Olympics as his coach and trainer.
She is survived by two sons: Robert Narcessian, whose wife was the late Dr. Elizabeth Narcessian, of Ridgewood, NJ and Richard Narcessian & his wife Patricia of Warwick; three grandchildren Jon, Beth & Emily and five great grandchildren: Sophia, Nicholas, Ryan, Hannah & Maya. She was the sister of the late Mildred Duvall.
A private funeral service followed by burial with military honors at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter was held by her family. Donations in her memory may be made to Woodridge United Church of Christ Congregational, 546 Budlong Road, Cranston, RI 02920. Information and condolences at carpenterjenks.com.
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