Obituary: Leahmae Patterson Hippman, 93, of East Haven

Obituary courtesy of East Haven Memorial Funeral Home:

Leahmae Patterson Hippman, 93, of East Haven passed away peacefully at her home with her daughter, Mary Elizabeth, by her side. Lee was the wife of the late Alfred J. Hippman and is survived by her daughter Mary of East Haven. She is also survived by Catherine and Charlie Burdge, who she considered her children, and by their children Lucy and Peter Burdge to be her grandchildren. She also left behind several nieces and nephews around the country as well as many special friends who she considered part of her family.

She was born in Niagara Falls, New York and was raised on the Tuscorora Indian Reservation and was a member of the Tuscorora Indian Nation. She attended Niagara University where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. Upon her graduation in 1950, she moved to New York City where she worked and taught nursing at Columbia Presbyterian. She and her husband moved to East Haven in 1958 where she remained until her death. Once here, she also taught nursing at the University of Connecticut and was active in politics town and as a State Central Committee Woman. Lee had a long career as a registered nurse retiring at the age of 75 from Yale-New Haven Hospital where she did research nursing. One of her early contributions was helping to establish the Visiting Nurse Association of New Haven. She was an avid reader and adventurer who loved to travel and meet new people, always searching for something more to learn and someone else to know. She loved people and they loved her.

East Haven Memorial Funeral Home is handling her arrangements. Services are private and at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions can be made in Lee’s honor to the Old Stone Church Steeple Preservation Fund, C/O The Old Stone Church 251 Main St East Haven, CT 06512.