Pauline Thurston Henderson

Henderson Pauline Thurston Henderson, age 75, died May 5 in Minneapolis from cancer. Born in St. Paul, she was the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing and Public Health. She trained at Minneapolis General Hospital (HCMC), and worked at the University of Minnesota, Veterans Administration, and Eitel Hospitals in Minneapolis. She was also the first Black woman hired to be a public health school nurse in the city of Minneapolis. She retired after 35 years of service to the Minneapolis Public Schools, having worked at Emerson, South, Anthony, North Star, Folwell, and Seward Schools, in Minneapolis, among many during her career. Her passion and her work was specifically with children who were physically or developmentally challenged. She had a great love for animals and her community. Preceded in death by father, Frank Thurston; mother, Essie Mae; and sisters, Thelma Gorman and Helen Taylor. She is survived by daughter, Deborah Henderson Gary of St. Paul; granddaughter, Nicole Antoinette Gary of Minneapolis; sister, Fanny Mae Holland of Oklahoma; nieces and nephews, multitudes of friends and her animals. Services Saturday, May 10 at 1 pm at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4343 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls, 612-825-2435.

Published on May 8, 2003