Ivy Waterworth

Ivy Helena Waterworth was born Aug. 10, 1911 in Vancouver, British Columbia to Salvation Army parents and was commissioned as an officer in 1934. She had several pastoral assignments early in her career. In 1947 she transferred to the Army's Editorial Department and in 1953 became editor of The Young Soldier magazine. As editor she traveled extensively and attended the International College for Officers. Her articles in The Young Soldier and War Cry featured event reporting, children's fiction, and poetry. In 1961 she became editor and trade secretary for The Salvation Army in Jamaica. She returned home in 1966 as editorial assistant for the Army's National Publications. It was editorial work for which she was specifically equipped -especially her ability to tell a story to personally involve the reader. She expressed true craftsmanship and devotion which did not count hours or limit concentration and effort. Nothing was too much trouble to verify facts, polish statements or find suitable illustrations. She retired August 12, 1973 from National Publications. In Atlanta retirement she renewed friendships with Atlanta newspaper staff, especially columnist Celestine Sibley, who wrote about the Army and Ivy fondly on several occasions. Ivy's picture in the Salvation Army bonnet was in her office. Ivy always had special friends among youth of her Salvation Army church. When writing a Christmas program she would always match characters to her kids, and include everyone, even the youngest or shyest for whom a special part would be created. Those youth often went with her on special outings that broadened horizons and raised goals for their lives. Ivy lived independently until May and celebrated her 93rd birthday with friends just three days before her death. Ivy's parents died while she was in her twenties. Her only other family member was a brother, Wesley, a Canadian WWII veteran who predeceased her in 1983.