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Florence Peterson Kendall, Physical Therapist, of Severna Park, Maryland, died on Jan. 28, 2006. She was 95. The 11th child of Swedish immigrants, she became one of the world's most celebrated physical therapists. She is the author of eight books, including 5 editions of the classic text MUSCLES Testing and Function With Posture and Pain which has been translated into 9 languages. In 2002, the Maryland Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association named her the "Physical Therapist of the Century", and in June, 2004, ADVANCE magazine for Physical Therapists identified her as the top American and #1 woman PT in the world in its survey of 7 Giants in the field of Orthopedic physical therapy.

Called a "living legend", she is the recipient of five honorary doctorate degrees and in 2002 she was inducted into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame. She is former consultant to the Surgeon General of the Army on musculoskeletal matters (1981-1995), former consultant to the President's Council on Physical Fitness, and she has given over 350 workshops and speeches throughout the country. She has received all of the highest awards in her profession and has been listed in "Who's Who in America".

Florence dedicated over 70 years of her life to physical therapy and played a major role in drafting the original bill that was enacted into law in 1947, legally establishing the practice of physical therapy in Maryland.

In 1938 she and her late husband, Henry O. Kendall, wrote a US Public Health Bulletin on the aftercare of polio. Their work later became the bedrock of post polio treatment. In addition to her books on muscle testing, posture and pain, she co-authored GOLFER'S Take Care of Your Back and a Peterson Family book. She was a member of the American Pen Women and she was also a Registered Parliamentarian, and her placemat entitled "Lay It On The Table" has been widely used for many years. Florence lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Charles Nolte. Another daughter, Elizabeth Kendall (John) McCreary of Honolulu, worked with her on the last three editions of the Muscles book. Her youngest daughter, Florence Kendall (Louis)Tyler, lives in Baltimore. She also is survived by 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Viewings will be held on Monday, Feb. 6th, from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 8 at Barranco's Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park. A service will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Methodist Church at North Charles St. and Northern Parkway, Baltimore, followed by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Kendall Fund, APTA, 1111 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA, 22314; to the Florence Kendall Scholarship Fund, UMB Foundation,Inc., 100 N. Greene St., Suite 600, Baltimore, MD 21201; or to the YWCA, 1517 Ritchie Hwy., Arnold, MD 21012. For information and comments visit www.barrancofuneralhome.com .