Date : 28 Aug 1953
Location : Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, CA
RICHTER
At rest; August 22, 1953, Deborah B., beloved sister of Mrs. Maude Barton of Illinois. A member of San Francisco Nurses Post 452.
Funeral services at 12:45 p. m. Friday, August 28, 1953, at the mortuary of Julius S. Godeau, Inc., 41 Van Ness ave near Market st. Interment, Golden Gate National Cemetery.
San Francisco Chronicle - Aug 28, 1953
Research notes for Deborah
First, let's talk about Deborah's DOB. Every record of her after 1918 says she was born Oct 9, 1882. This (to me) is no surprise. In Aug of 1918 she joined the Army Nurses Corp. The requirements (then) to join were as follows...SINGLE, AMERICAN BORN, AGE 25-35. In Aug of 1918 Deborah was 40. Changing her DOB to meet requirements meant shaving 5 years off her age. Hence, every single military record of her -- including her headstone -- has DOB listed as Oct 9, 1882.
Now, how do I know she was born in 1887? Well, it's a guess, but if you want to change your age, that's fine, but rarely do people change the DAY of birth. She still would want to celebrate her birthday right? So Oct 9 is a guess. Now, the year...
1880 census - 2 years old
1885 census - 7 years old
1895 census - 17 years old
1900 census - 22 years old (Oct 1877 listed)
1910 census - 33 years old
...you tell me when you think she was born. I think Oct 9, 1877.
6 Feb 2024 - Interestingly, both of her military death records have 1881 listed as YOB.
Middle name from VA doc.
1920 census record -- I cannot find it. I believe she was stationed in Washington, DC at the time. This is based on port records coming home from France and the 1920 newspaper article. I think I found it. Stationed at Walter Reed in D.C. A few items don't match up, but I feel fairly certain this is her.
1940 census record -- I cannot find it. I believe she is living in San Francisco. Well, I think I found it. Age 44?? I guessed that now that she's out of the ANC, that she would go back to her correct age, but apparently not. I can only guess this information was given by someone else. Age and place of birth are wrong. The address, however, is a spot on match to her funeral record.
1950 census record -- also located with exact same address. 860 Sutter (Apt 505)
Newspaper Article - El Paso Times - Jan 12, 1931 Pg 10
A nice article about some nurses stationed in Beaumont getting ready to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the organization of their corps. Deborah is pictured (not a good photo) and mentioned about her time in France.
Newspaper Article - Honolulu Advertiser - Aug 11, 1935 Pg 4
Mentioned as guest of Birthday Party.
Obit Req Sent 11 Feb 2023 - Rec'd 23 Feb 2023
California Death Index, 1940-1997
Name: Deborah B Richter
Sex: Female
Father's Name: Richter
Mother's Name: Bassett
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 22 Aug 1953
Event Place: San Francisco, California, United States
Birth Date: 09 Oct 1882
Birthplace: Wisconsin
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