Dr. Wisdom Dies At Age 80

Dr. Inez R. Wisdom, 80, of 2301 Packard, died yesterday afternoon after a long illness.
A past president of the Washtenaw County Medical Society, she had been active for many years in medical and Episcopal Church affairs. She was the founder of the new St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church, which became an independent parish in November of this year, and donated the land for the church.
The parish began as a tiny chapel in the garden adjoining Dr. Wisdom's home. The chapel was patterned after those she had seen abroad and was intended for the private use of Dr. Wisdom and her companion, Miss Gertrude Griffith.
In 1953 she gave the chapel and grounds to the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan for the establishment of a mission church.
The first services were held in the chapel or in the garden, when the worshipers numbered more than the 10 the chapel would hold.
The growing congregation soon moved to old Stone School, and in 1956 moved into the present church adjoining the original chapel.
St. Clare's today has an active membership of more than 150 families. Dr. Wisdom this year deeded her house and the land on which it stands to the church.
She was born July 21, 1884, in Saline, a daughter of Eugene and Elizabeth Jedele Wisdom.
She was graduated from Eastern Michigan University at Ypsilanti in 1915, and from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1923.
She was a member of the American Medical Association. Besides having served as president of the Washtenaw County Medical Society, she also was a past president of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Medical Society.
A Requiem Eucharist service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church.
Cremation has taken place. The ashes will be interred in St. Francis Chapel of St. Clare of Assisi Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church.
Arrangements were completed by the Staffan Funeral Home.