Lillian Riblet

Lillian Anastasia Riblet, 93, resident of Denver since 1948, died peacefully on August 18. She was born November 13, 1920, to Edward and Clara (O'Farrell) Riblet in New York City, NY. Lillian graduated with honors in chemistry from Barnard College in 1942 and did a year of graduate study at Columbia University. For five years from 1943 to 1948, Lillian served in the U.S. Women's Army Corp. Among her assignments she was Chief of Bacteriology, Fort Devens, Mass. and a microbiologist at Percy Jones General Hospital, Battle Creek, Mich. She vividly recalled the around the clock work when hospital ships arrived with the wounded during World War II. She also was proud of the work she did in army research on anemia and chronic infections. After discharge in 1948, Lillian and her lifelong friend and companion, Elinor Reese, settled in Denver where she worked first as a medical technician at the V.A. Hospital, Denver, and later with the Nerve Gas Project, Rocky Mountain Arsenal. After getting her teaching credential from Colorado University, Lillian taught college prep chemistry and senior research seminars at Cherry Creek High School for 20 years. Her students won many state and national science awards. Once retired, Lillian and Elinor traveled extensively. They especially loved their Hawaii vacations and the many Princess cruises to exotic places. Lillian's family is eternally grateful to her friend and guardian, Tom Vann, to her lifelong friend, Annette Thibault, who phoned her each day in her later years, to her neighbors, Howard and Lone Stoddard, and to the many care givers who made her last year at home possible and comfortable. Until her stroke a year ago, Lillian was a brilliant and very independent lady. Lillian is survived by her only cousin's four children and their children. Services and interment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 11:00am on Tuesday, September 2nd. Please share memories of Lillian and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook.