July 20, 1944: Young Nurse Dies in New York

Gabrielle LeBlanc graduated from Fort Covington High School in Fort Covington, New York in the class of 1938. That fall she went to New York City and started nursing training at Manhattan State Hospital. Her friends anticipated that she would become an excellent nurse due to her gentle and sunny disposition, and her courteous demeanor.

The following August, Gabrielle married Wilfred Bissonnette. The two of them had a little daughter around 1940.

While Gabrielle continued her nursing training, Wilfred entered the Army and did training in Texas.

On June 21, 1944, Gabrielle completed her training and stayed on as a registered nurse at the state hospital. 

What transpired next appeared to have happened while Wilfred was still in Texas.

In mid-July of 1944, Gabrielle took ill and was admitted to Belleview Hospital. Her parents rushed to New York City on July 20, but by the time they arrived at the hospital it was too late. Gabrielle was dead from streptococcus infection. Wilfred, who was due to be deployed overseas on July 21, was granted leave to attend her funeral.

Gabrielle, at 2 months into a pregnancy, had arranged a criminal abortion. She suffered a perforated uterus, hemorrhage, and infection.

Watch The Young Nurse's Abortion on YouTube.

Sources: 

• New York death record
• "Local High Graduate and Nurse Expires Suddenly in New York," Fort Covington Sun, July 27, 1944