Imogene Lit

MURPHYSBORO - Imogene Speegle Lit, 96, of Murphysboro, passed away at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at her residence. Imogene was born December 21, 1916 in Trimble, Alabama near Cullman, to John Wesley and Della Jane (Coffer) Speegle. She attended Hayden Schools and was in their first graduating class. Until then students had to travel to Hanceville or Warrior High School to complete high school. She later came back to Hayden Schools to teach, after graduating from then Jacksonville State Teachers College. She joined the Army in the early 1940's and was trained as a physical therapist. She was trained by Sister Kenny, a pioneer in muscle rehabilitation. Sister Kenny believed that the physical therapist should be trained in all areas and that a soldier's rehab was physical, social and mental. Sister Kenny felt dancing was an important tool in rehab and brought in Arthur Murray to teach the students to dance. Imogene and fellow physical therapy students lived and trained in the mansion about which "The Spiral Staircase" by John William Wainwright, was written. She was stationed on Tinian, an island off Japan where the Enola Gay was deployed. Her picture in front of the Enola Gay (the afternoon before "the bomb" was dropped on Hiroshima that evening) is featured in a soon to be released grammar school textbook by Donette Bower. She met her husband, "soon-to-be Professor" Alfred Lit, an Army clinical psychologist, in Tokyo immediately following the War. Although she out ranked him it proved no barrier to their relationship. They later married January 27, 1947 when they returned to New York. After the War, Imogene worked with the Elks Cripple Children Program. Imogene was instrumental in starting the Hospice program in New York City. She was a "second Mother" to many of the foreign students of her husband, Professor Lit, at Columbia University, University of Michigan, and later at Southern Illinois University where he developed the Pulfrich Phenomenon that led to 3D optics. Her cookbook collection was extensive as she prided herself in preparing meals from the students' home countries. She was a very dedicated member of the Women's League of Voters and worked with them for years. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Imogene lived at home and remained independent until the end of her fascinating life. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, 5 brothers, Quentin Bryce, John Harold, Henry Elza, Clyde Wesley, and James Rayburn and 1 sister Pauline Murray. She had 5 nieces, 9 nephews, 10 great nieces, 12 great nephews, 2 great-great nieces, and 5 great-great nephews. Inurnment will be at Hayden Cemetery, Hayden, Alabama, at a later date. Memorial donations are the preferred form of remembrance and may be made to, Alfred and Imogene S. Lit Endowment for Psychology, in care of SIU Foundation or Hayden Cemetery and will be accepted by Meredith Funeral Home, Carbondale.