In 1958, Corrine M. Nordquest was hired as Assistant Librarian replacing retiring Assistant Librarian Florence K. Babcock. Rev. John A. Harrer was then Librarian of the American Congregational Association (ACA). Prior to her employment at the Congregational Library, Miss Nordquest worked for Congregational societies. She was with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (A.B.C.F.M.) serving five years in Africa. On her return from Africa, she became a director of religious education. She also served at the City Mission Society in Boston.
Miss Nordquest was a graduate of Schauffler College in Cleveland, Ohio, which is now a part of Oberlin College. Upon starting at the Congregational Library, she enrolled in the library science program at Simmons College and received her Master of Library Science degree in 1961. She was promoted to Associate Librarian in 1962.
Appointed Librarian in 1963, Miss Nordquest became the first woman Librarian of the ACA. From the minutes of the Annual Meeting in May, 1963, the Library Committee reported: “Her work in the library has been of a high degree of proficiency. An advance in services to the churches by the Congregational Library through years to come is confidently anticipated.” She served until 1968.
Her library career continued at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Library and at the Yale Divinity School Library until retirement. She married John A. Harrer in 1984.
She was a member of the Second Congregational Church in Ashtabula, Ohio. Survivors include a sister, Juanita Rhinehart; brother, Harland Nordquest; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and her brothers, Leslie and Richard Nordquest.
A memorial service will be held at a later date, in Waverly, Ohio. Corrine donated her body to the Ohio State University Medical School. Messages of condolence may be sent to Corinne’s brother, Mr. Harland K. Nordquest, 1733 W. 7th St. , Ashtabula , OH 44004-2878. Memorial contributions may be made to the Second Congregational Church, 319 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, OH 44004.
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