Obituary of Ferne Sabin Focht

Dr. Ferne Sabin Focht, MD, died November 18, 2006 at the age of 91 at Panorama City Convalescent Center. She was born March 10, 1915 in Eveleth, Minnesota. Her extensive medical schooling included receiving her BS from the University of Nebraska in 1937, Masters in Education from the University of Chicago in 1941, and her MD from Northwestern University in 1945. She did her internship at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago from 1945-1946, was assistant resident of medicine at the University of Utah 1946-1947, 1948-1949, was a cardiology fellow from 1947-1948 and cardiovascular disease fellow at the University of Michigan from 1949-1950. She moved to Washington State and was a student of health services from the University of Washington from 1950-1953. From 1953-1985 Ferne was in private practice in Olympia, Washington. She was listed in the Who’s Who Directory of American Women in 1962 and was the first woman doctor in Olympia. From 1953-1986 her practice was at Memorial Clinic. She was the 8th doctor there. She served on the building committee for the Lilly Rd. St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia. Ferne was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Francis and Myrtle Irene (Sabin) Focht; two brothers, Francis S. and Donald Ray Focht and her lifetime companion, Ina June Cannell. She is survived by her sister, Jean Focht Hansen of Manhattan, Kansas; nieces, Avanelle D. Hansen of Olympia, Washington, Kristen Johnson of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, Claire M. Schroeder of Ruston, Louisanna and nephews Donald E. Focht of Rutherford, Texas, and Donald Sabin Focht of Holland, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Benevolent Fund, Panorama City Nursing Home, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey, WA 98502. The family is following Ferne’s wish to be cremated and to have a private service.