Lois Miriam Hammond Zurbach, MD, age 91, of Foulkeways, Gwynedd Valley, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006 at her residence.  She had been a resident at Foulkeways since 1999 and was a longtime resident of the Lawndale section of Philadelphia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene J. Zurbach in Feb., 1984.

Dr. Zurbach was born in Burlington, VT, the daughter of the late Charles Chester and Louella Dartt Hammond. She did her undergraduate studies at the University of Vermont and received her medical degree from the University of Vermont School of Medicine.

She was Professor of Pediatric Medicine at the former Women's Medical College, later known as the Medical College of Pennsylvania in the East Falls section of Philadelphia from 1940 to 1985. She also worked in Public Health for the City of Philadelphia for 20 years caring for children.  She was a Fellow of the Academy of American Pediatrics and the recipient of the Lindback Award at Women's Medical College.

Her children and her husband, Eugene J. Zurbach, a chemist, pitched in to run the household.  There were no gender-assigned tasks, their son Peter said: "My mother drove nails, and my father did the wash."

She retired in 1985 but continued to be involved in the medical school for many years.  She was an avid reader, her son said, and was active with the Third Order of Carmelites, a lay religious community devoted to prayer.  Despite her professional accomplishments, she wrote when she was dying, "family is my legacy," her son said.

She is survived by six daughters, Mary Last, PHD and her husband, Thomas, of Austin, TX, Patricia Fitzmyer and her husband, Robert Jr., of Belmont Hills, Barbara Schneider and her husband, Eric, of Kunkletown, Janet Zurbach of Sanford, NC, Nancy Zurbach, MD of Augusta, ME and Teresa Sinz and her husband, Michael, of Elverson ;  two sons, E. Peter Zurbach, PHD and his wife, Mary E., of Media and James Zurbach, MD and his wife, Cathleen, of Media ;  13 grandchildren ;  and seven great-grandchildren.

Dr. Zurbach was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Curch in North Wales.

For those desiring, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to a charity of the donor's choice would be preferred.  Arrangements are by the Simcox-McIlvaine Funeral Home in Lansdale.