Amy Lind

Amy Lind, 92, Grand Forks, died Wednesday, October 28, 2009 in Valley Memorial Homes Eldercare Center, Grand Forks. Amy Lind was born January 22, 1917 at the farm home of Charles and Agnes (Naseth) Lind, 12 miles north of Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada. She attended Happy Centre, a country school and Central High School at Melville. In 1936 she earned her teacher's certificate at Teacher's College, Regina, Saskatchewan. She taught school in Saskatchewan for 5 years, and attended summer school at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1941, the Royal Canadian Air Force began recruiting women. Amy enlisted, took basic training at Toronto and became a motor transport driver at Service Flying Training School in Saskatoon, Sask. She was in the second group of women who enlisted in the Air Force, and also in the second group to train as Aircraft Recognition Instructors. She graduated with the rank of Sergeant and was posted to training schools in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta where she taught air crews who came from all parts of Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and some from the United States and other countries. These programs were discontinued in 1945, and she was discharged to the Reserve. Amy attended the University of Toronto 1945-1947, receiving her diploma in occupational therapy. She continued her education at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario to complete requirements for her BA. She was employed as Director of Occupational Therapy at Mountain, Sanatorium in Hamilton until 1955 with the exception of a year's leave of absence to work at Huyton College, near Liverpool, England and to travel in Europe. In 1955 Amy was employed by Saskatchewan Psychiatric Services as Consultant in Occupational Therapy. In January 1957 she became Chairman of the recently established Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. She had a leave of absence to earn her PhD in Counseling and Guidance at the University of Wyoming at Laramie. She retired in 1981 with the rank of Professor Emeritus, Occupational Therapy, University of North Dakota. Amy continued her involvement in health and rehabilitation and other community services. She was a volunteer at United and later Altru Hospital in Grand Forks for many years. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, especially in mission activities. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, handicrafts, and reading. She is survived by relatives in Melville, Saskatchewan, and other parts of Canada. Services: 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 2, 2009: in First Presbyterian Church 5555 S. Washington St., Grand Forks. Visitaton: will be one hour prior to the service in the church. Interment: will be in Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada.