Bessie Lidington

Bessie (Cleo) Lidington 90 of Stow OH died April 23 2004. Cleo was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Myrtle Lidington. She is survived by her nephews Terry (Barbara)Campbell and Vern (Marie) Campbell. She attended Mason grade school and then graduated from Central High School in 1932. After graduation Cleo entered the Idabelle Firestone School of Nursing at Akron City Hospital and graduated as a R.N. in 1944. She was commissioned in the Army Nurse Corp in Feb. 1945 and served at a military hospital in the state of Washington until the end of WWII. Cleo was then transferred to camp Atterbury Indiana where she was separated from active duty in 1947 but stayed with the active reserve until her retirement in 1974 as LT. Colonel with 29 years total service. While working full time she attended night school at The University of Akron and received her Bachelor's degree in Nursing Education in 1953. Cleo worked at: Akron City Hospital St. Thomas Children's Brecksville Veterans Hospital and both Akron and Barberton Health Departments. A member of the Trinity Lutheran Church for over 60 years she also volunteered at A.A.R.P. and S.W.A.P. She was never married but felt like her nephews and nieces were hers too. Fishing baking sewing crocheting knitting and traveling were some of her interests. She visited nearly all of the lower 48 states and Hawaii and she would travel at the drop of a hat. Cleo bought her first car in 1949 a new Chevy. There was no stopping her after that. She traded in for a new model about every four years for the next forty years. Only quit driving upon doctors orders about age 85 (only had 1 ticket in 50 years.) She bought a boat and trailer while in her sixties and taught herself to tow it launch it and operate it on the water. Private family services. Memorials may be made to Employee Fund at The Briarwood 3700 Englewood Rd. Stow OH 44224.