Meredith Drench
Meredith E. Drench, 63, of East Greenwich, RI, died May 17, 2013. Born in New York City, she grew up in Rockaway and also had lived in Boston before moving to East Greenwich 25 years ago.
Dr. Drench was a professor of physical therapy at Northeastern University. She was also an author and a popular lecturer in physical therapy and behavioral sciences, working with health-care facilities, associations, agencies, and universities, including the Veterans’ Administration in Boston. She wrote Red Ribbons Are Not Enough, about health professionals caring for people with AIDS, and was co-author for three editions of Psychosocial Aspects of Health Care. As a physical and behavioral therapist, she worked and taught all over the world.
She graduated from Morris Hills Regional High School in Rockaway in 1968. A graduate of Boston and Northeastern universities, she earned her doctorate at Union Institute and University.
President of the Western New England Region of Hadassah, she was a past president of the Rhode Island Hadassah chapter and a member of Hadassah’s national board. She had been a member of White Meadow Temple, Rockaway.
She was a judge for both the National and Rhode Island Academic Decathlon and was an active participant in Boston University alumni affairs, including the Meredith E. Drench Lecture Series, Rhode Island Project AIDS, and the AIDS Seder.
Predeceased by her parents, Daniel and Madeline Drench, she is survived by her partner, Paula Hurd of East Greenwich; a brother, Peter Drench (Anne Ferguson); a nephew, Zachary Drench; and two nieces, Jessica Drench and Sarah Ferguson.
A memorial service was held May 27 with arrangements by Hill Funeral Home of East Greenwich. Memorial contributions may be made to Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904; or the Dr. Meredith Drench Memorial Scholarship, c/o WNER Hadassah, 200 Reservoir St., Suite 103, Needham, MA 02494.
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