Thelma Steers Ebbitt

Middletown, RI ? Thelma Steers Halverson Ebbitt, 89, of 303 Valley Road Middletown, formerly of Kay Boulevard, Newport, died Monday, January 31, 2005 at home.She was the widow of the late Paul F. Ebbitt.Born in Newport, RI on January 3, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Chris and Mary Frances Steers Halverson.Mrs. Ebbitts maternal grandfather, Daniel Steers, was the son of the builder of the original schooner yacht ?America? and the nephew of the marine architect who designed the ?America?. The ?America? won a race in England in 1851. This was the beginning of long years of challenges, including those in Newport from 1930-1986 for what became the ?Americas Cup?. Mrs. Ebbitt was a graduate of Rogers High School class of 1932, and a graduate of Brown University in 1937. She had an early career in the brokerage business with Kidder, Peabody and Co., in Newport. Later she taught for twenty years in the Newport public elementary schools. She was a life member of the Rogers High School Alumni Association, various retired teachers groups, Delta Kappa Gamma- Iota chapter, The Edward King Senior Center, the Preservation Society of Newport County, The Newport Art Museum, Redwood Library, Norman Bird Sanctuary, Save the Bay, Friends of the Waterfront, Friends of Whitehall and the Point Association.She is survived by her son Hugh A. Ebbitt and his wife Irene Ebbitt of Middletown, RI, two daughters, Karen Steers Ebbitt and Paula F. Ebbitt both of Cambridge, MA, two granddaughters Michala A. Ebbitt and Kristina L. Ebbitt, and her brother in-law David Ebbitt.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2005, at 11:00am in the Hambly Funeral Home Brick House, 30 Red Cross Avenue, Newport. Donations in her memory may be made to Visiting Nurse Service of Newport and Bristol Counties ? Hospice, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or to the charity of your choice.