March 13, 2016
Dear Funeral Directors,
We are writing to you in hopes that we may be able to develop a professional relationship with you and your services on behalf of the Nurses in Ohio. We are the newly formed Nursing Honor Guard for the fallen nurses of our community. We strongly believe that the line of service from a Nurse should be honored even in the passing of the individual. Nursing is a way of life and defines who we are. Whether we practice at the bedside or not, nursing and all its facets are ingrained in our souls for life. The family of a Nurse would agree. We would like to extend ourselves to the families of fallen Nurses so that we may help the families honor their loved one’s service to the profession. We are small group just starting this process so we are limited in our resources. However, we hope that we can rely on you to help us provide our condolences to the families of fallen Nurses.
Our services consist of just a small notion of appreciation to honor our fellow Nurses. We have a Nurse’s Tribute that we customize and print. We place it in a frame to display at the funeral service and for the family to take home. We would also like to offer that some of us may be available to recite the tribute given the timing is appropriate and we are able to be present.
We hope that by offering our services to the families of fallen Nurses the legacy of that Nurse will be honored and can carry on in spirit. A copy of the tribute is below for your reference. Please consider forming this partnership with us as we hope to provide respect to those who lived the life of a Nurse in our community. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Nursing Honor Guard- Mohican District Ohio Nurses Association
Bev Skiles 419-566-1809
Carolyn Kaple 419-3512-0876
Nancy Collier 419-756-3360
Sarah Strohminger 419-566-1322
Joyce Hunt 419-289-1482
Billie Massie419-945-2331
Pam Tuttle 740-507-6776
Karen Crane 419-756-2331
The Nightingale Tribute
Nursing is a calling, a lifestyle, a way of living. Today we are honoring ______and her life as a nurse.
______is not remembered by her years as a nurse, but by the difference she made during those
years by stepping into people’s lives…by special moments:
She Was There
When a calming, quiet presence was all that was needed,
She was there.
In the excitement and miracle of birth or in the mystery and loss of life,
She was there.
When a silent glance could uplift a patient, family member or friend,
She was there.
At those times when the unexplainable needed to be explained,
She was there.
When the situation demanded a swift foot and sharp mind,
She was there.
When a gentle touch, a firm push, or an encouraging word was needed,
She was there.
In choosing the best one from a family’s “Thank you” box of chocolates,
She was there.
To witness humanity—its beauty, in good times and bad, without judgment,
She was there.
To embrace the woes of the world, willingly, and offer hope,
She was there.
And now, that it is time to be at the Greater One’s side,
She is there.
C 2004, by Duane Jaeger, RN, MSN