Pat Parlette's Careers and Other Activities
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Pat attended Darien CT High School, where she was the first girl drum major they had ever had. This photo shows Pat leading the Darien High School band in 1943 at the Darien railroad station saluting departing recruits.When she graduated, she won a scholarship from the Darien Community Association Thrift Shop. More than half a century later, Pat still gives back by volunteering at the DCA Thrift Shop, the proceeds of which go toward education.
Pat joined the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps in 1943 and graduated as a nurse from Greenwich Hospital in 1946. For part of her training, she was a student nurse at Yale where she learned special care for polio victims living in iron lungs. After graduation, she got a job at the Tripler Military Hospital in Hawaii caring for polio patients.
When Pat was hired by Seaboard, the military required the presence of a Registered Nurse on passenger flights. On those flights, Pat and the other Flight Attendants who were nurses wore their nurses' uniforms. Her airline career lasted for 38 years.
In addition, Pat continued her nursing career throughout that period, often caring for patients requiring critical care. She is still involved in nursing to this day, including hospice care. In addition to the thrift shop, Pat volunteers at the Darien Book Aid and the New Covenant House. In 2006, Pat was twice featured in articles in the Darien Times.
As if all of this were not enough to keep her busy, in 2006, Pat traveled to both Yellowstone National Park and China; where she walked on the Great Wall barely six months after having a hip replaced! A few years ago, Pat went for rides in George Jacoban's home-built airplane, and in a sailplane with George.
In November, 2006, Pat traveled to Frankfurt and visited the Baseler Eck.
In September, 2007, Pat traveled to Brazil and visited Ed & Rosie Cardinali.
On Nov. 10, 2008, Pat was presented with the Darien Old Timers' Athletic Association Commumity Civic Award for 2008. The award is for "regular participation in community civic service of constant loyalty, unquestioned integrity, peerless leadership & sense of fair play" and "exceptional service to others in the finest American tradition." The plaque can be seen here.
On May 5, 2009, Pat continued her long service to the Darien Community Association Thrift Shop by modeling in a fashion show.
In October 2009, our intrepid traveler visited Jordan and Egypt. Two photos can be seen here and here.
Quite a life.
