Joslyn Magowan Birdzell

Newport, RI - Joslyn Magowan Birdzell, 91, of 51 Prairie Ave. Newport, formerly of Scarsdale, NY and Greenwich, CT, died Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at home in Newport, RI. Born in Omaha, Nebraska on August 15, 1914, she was the wife of Luther Earle Birdzell Jr. for 62 years. Mrs. Birdzell grew up in Scarsdale, NY. She was active in figure skating with her twin sister Sally, where they were members of the NY Skating Club. Joslyn was a 1937 graduate of Vassar College. After working for several years as a legal secretary, she was married in 1943 to Luther E. Birdzell Jr. Over the years she lived in Greenwich and moved to Newport in 1976. While living in Newport she became interested in the history of the city. She became involved as a tour guide for the Whitehorne Museum and Trinity Church. Joslyn also continued her interest in figure skating and was a test judge for many years for youth competitions and qualifications. Mrs. Birdzell was a member of Trinity Church, the Redwood Library, and the Newport Historical Society. She was a member of PEO Chapter D of Rhode Island, a womans organization. Her interest in Newport history also brought her to be a member of the Alliance Francaise.She and her husband shared an interest in sailing and in 1977-78 they cruised from Miami to the Greek Island and Bodrum ancient Halicarnassus and back in their sloop ?Tantara?. Josyln was also active in senior swimming and was a nationally ranked competitor in the butterfly stroke at the age of 75. Beside her husband Luther E. Birdzell of Newport, RI, she is survived by a son Luther E. Birdzell III of San Francisco, CA, a son David Magowan Birdzell of Kunsi, India, and two grandsons. She was preceded in death by her brother David and her sister Sally. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 17, at 11:00am in Trinity Church, Queen Anne Square, Newport.