Obituary as published in the Tucson Daily Star and Citizen
Billie Jeanne Underwood died peacefully January 19, 2009.
She will be dearly missed by her children Mark (Ann), Kris, Cele, Page (Phillip), Beth (Jeff), Ross (Sue) grandchildren Blake, Preston, Loren, Rachel, Cole, Emily, Seth, sister Joanne Kartchner (Dean), brother Jay (Margaret), uncle Donald (Brenda) Richards, numerous nieces and nephews, and friend Eugene Scott.
A native Arizonan, Billie’s adult life began as a commissioned nurse in World War II (Good Samaritan Hospital). While a nurse, she met (and later married) Captain Don Robert Underwood at Birmingham General Hospital in 1948. After raising six children, she embarked upon an academic career, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a PhD in Psychology from the University of Arizona, and retiring as a Professor at Pima Community College.
Billie was committed to many civic causes, including Head Start, Pima Council on Aging, Common Cause, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Planned Parenthood. Much to the chagrin of some of her peers, she was an early contributor to MoveOn.org.
A memorial service was held at St Marks Presbyterian Church (3809 East 3rd Street, Tucson, AZ) Saturday January 24 at 2:00p. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Helen Keller International.
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