Obituary of Jeanne Quint Benoliel

Jeanne Quint Benoliel was a pioneer in the field of nursing research and the study of death and dying. Dr Benoliel championed the role of the nurse scientist and fought battles for membership on prestigious national boards on which only physicians had served. She eventually led these boards. Professor Emerita in the School of Nursing at the University of Washington, she served on the faculty for over 20 years, and was its first Elizabeth Sterling Soule Professor in Nursing. The American Academy of Nursing named her a Living Legend, nursing's highest recognition. Jeanne was born in National City, CA in 1919. She completed RN training in 1941 and served in the Army Nurse Corps from 1943 until 1946. In 1962 she, along with the famed sociologists Anselm Strauss and Barney Glasser, conducted ground breaking research at the University of California, San Francisco, studying communication with dying patients and hospital personnel. In 1970 she married Robert Benoliel. Their marriage was marked by a deep love for each other, joy in traveling the world, and spending time with family and ever growing numbers of grandchildren. Also in 1970, Jeanne joined the nursing faculty at the University of Washington. She was a productive researcher, an accomplished teacher, and a prolific writer, having published 6 books and hundreds of articles. She participated in developing sone of the first doctoral programs in nursing in the US, and founded a graduate program preparing nurses for leadership in community-based services for advanced cancer patients and their families. During her career, she received numerous national and international awards for her work. She was also given honorary degrees from the University of San Diego, the University of Pennsylvania, and from Yale University. Her legacy is defined by the greater understanding of cancer care, the needs of entire families, and the importance of open communication among health providers, patients, and family members. The hundreds of students she mentored continue her work. Her husband, Robert, preceded her in death in 1999. She is survived by her sister Diana M. Quint of San Diego, CA, her nieces Bobbi Earle of Sand Point, ID and Patti Jensen of Priest River, ID, Robert's 4 children, and many grand- and great grand children. Donations may be made to the Jeanne Q. Benoliel Endowed Fellowship Fund which provides financial aid to UW School of Nursing doctoral students who are researching the impact of life-threatening illness or end of life transitions. Donate online at:http://www.washington.edu/giving/browse-funds by searching under "Nursing" for the Jeanne Q. Benoliel Endowed Fellowship Fund or checks may be sent to UW School of Nursing Advancement, Box 357260, Seattle, WA 98195. Make checks payable to "UW School of Nursing", noting the Jeanne Benoliel Fellowship Fund. Memorial services will be held Monday, January 30, from 1:00 to 4:00pm at Flintoft's Funeral Home, 540 East Sunset Way, Issaquah, WA. Although the service will be at Flintoft's, the arrangements are being handled by Curnow Funeral Home.