Florence Lenahan

Florence Lenahan, M.D. died on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at Riverside Hospital. Florence lived all of her life in Columbus. She came from a family of physicians and knew at an early age that she wanted to follow in their footsteps. She graduated from Linden McKinley High School and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Home Economics from The Ohio State University. She then entered Medical School at Loyola of Chicago. After completing two years there, she transferred to The Ohio State University where she earned her medical degree in 1963. After her internship at Grant Hospital, she opened her office for the general practice of medicine in 1964 and continued working there until the time of her death. In addition to her practice Dr. Lenahan was the Medical Director for the Willow Brook Christian Home for 6 years and the Staff Physician for the Lenahan Medical Clinic at Wesley Glen Retirement Center for 3 years. She also was the Company Physician at Orton Ceramic Foundation for 25 years. Professional Medical organizations to which she had belonged included: the Ohio State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the Columbus and Franklin County Academy of Medicine, and the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. In 1988, she became the first woman in Ohio to be elected to the office of county coroner. She actually was appointed in 1986 to the position to complete an unexpired term. At this same time she attended deputy sheriff school and in 1987 she received her Mounted Deputy Sheriffs Commission from Franklin County. Another first includes her election to the Columbus Society for the Scientific Detection of Crime. She not only was the first woman elected to the Society since its founding in 1946 but also the first to hold a leadership position within the organization; she was elected vice president in 1995. She was repeatedly elected to serve on the Delaware County Republican Central Committee and for a number of years she served on the Executive Committee of the Delaware County Republican party. She also was a member and has served as vice president and president of the Delaware County Republican Women's Club. Dr. Lenahan was born on November 23, 1937 to Dr. Norris and Ernestine Lenahan who have preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother Norris and sister Jan (Ron) Dwyer; and other relatives and friends. Memorial Service at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, October 7, 2012, at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNNERAL HOME 515 High Street Worthington, Ohio, where friends may call 2:30p.m. until 3:30p.m service time. Rev. Philip Bougher officiating. Contributions may be made to: The Delaware County Humane Society or the James Cancer Hospital. "Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries."