Dedicated too a Nurse of 94 years...

Nurses General Nursing

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My Grandmother,Thelma Kent Fitzmaurice,passed away saturday. She started her career as a Nurse Educator at Orange Memorial Hospital back in the 40's and put more than a few doctors in their place as well as turned out some of the best nurses around. She also was a Geriatric Nurse, Midwife,and Private Duty Nurse till she was 68. She will always be with me as my inspiration,mentor,and most caring Grandmother I've ever had.

This is a favorite poem of hers:

NURSES ARE CURSES

Nurses are curses.

They often appear

From a pain in the head,

To a pain in the rear.

They're never around

When things are just dandy,

So you could learn to like 'em

The way kids like candy.

You can't find a nurse

To hold your hand when you're lonely,

But they're all over the place

When you can move your toe - only.

Nurses are curses

To a man, independent.

'Cause they all do their job

Like a superintendent.

If you want it On,

They'll sure turn it Off!

If you adjust it Hard,

They'll fix it Soft!

They think they're the experts,

And you are the dummy.

They know better than you,

What you need for your tummy.

Nurses are curses:

Just thick in hospitals.

Takin' out bed-pans

And bringin' back vitals.

Now, doctors are nice-folk;

You'll find them in offices,

And they like to listen,

Because they're more novices.

I know that part's true,

'Cause when my illness gets worsest,

They send me out of their office -

To the hospital's nurses.

Nurses are curses,

They come in all kinds of persons.

There are a few Him - sons,

But the best kind are Her - sons.

God knew what He wanted

When He created nurses;

With the strength of an oak,

And the softness of verses.

He gave them devotion,

To stand like a brother,

And He gave them the heart,

To care like a mother.

Yes! Nurses are curses.

I'd rather not see one.

But, because they're so special,

Be proud, if Ye be one.

I'll Always Love You Grandmother...Rest In Peace.....Betty (Betts)

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Specializes in Home Health.

May you rest in peace Thelma. :kiss Thank you for all your years of dedication and service, and for your inspiration (no doubt) to the young Bett.

{{{Bett}}} I know you will miss her :kiss

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Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine;

et lux perpetua luceat eis;

Grant her eternal rest, oh Lord,

and may perpetual light shine on her.

My grandmother was also in her 90's when she passed away. We all knew it was time for her to go, but it certainly didn't make her passing any easier. (((((((((((((((((Betts)))))))))))))))))))))) I hope all your memories are good ones.

Love

Dennie

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Thank You and I try to keep the memories,good and bad. She was/is a very special lady.

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Special prayers and hugs to you and your family. Your grandmother sounds like she was a very special lady and loved by many. God Bless! (((((((HUGS))))))

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Dear Betts,

Sorry for your loss, I am sure that your grandmother was a wonderful woman and a wonderful nurse just as I am sure you are. Just as your gran contributed to nursing i am sure that you will carry on where she left off. Your support and feedback to less expereinced nurses is a treasure that I am sure that many less seasoned nurses like myself appreciate, your wisdom and your sense of humour I am sure it is legendary.

May your gran smile down on you knowing full well that she has left a job to be well done with the most suitable person. Grandmothers are I beleive God's gift to say that yes things will be difficult at times but I will leave a guiding light for the future generations.

All my best for you and your family, keep on posting

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Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

I am so sorry for your loss, but she is up there looking down on you and maybe now one of the countless angels that watch over us and our patients.

I was reseaching for a book I hope to write some day and was discussing it with an elderly patient in her early nineties, who also happened to be a retired nurse. She mentioned in the old days they not only had to cook the food they served to their patients, but also do the laundry! She chuckled and told me she always wanted to write a book but never got the opportuntiy. Then she laughed and told me the title she had planned would never work today..My curiosity piqued, she told me she had intended to name her book " White Slavery" Can see why that wouldn't go over well.

In nursing school there was a then older nurse with the stereotypical starched whites as an instructor. We were all terrified of her. All we really knew was that she was tough and had been an army nurse...

When I graduated and started on a med surg unit, she happened to be one of my first admissions. I was scared to death when I saw her name. Then, as I gathered my courage and went into her room I saw a pleasant older woman wrapped in a fuzzy pink bathrobe. She smiled and welcomed me to do her assessment, never once remarking that I had been her meek, mild student not so many months before.

She was diagnosed with pancreatic CA and we spent many long nights talking about her life. One special story was when she was in World War 2 at the front lines with the men and night fell on Christmas eve. She said each side raised a flag and came together to talk, sing, rejoice and exchange addresses and stories. When dawn came, they all went back to their respective lines and commenced firing on each other. I was transfixed. I asked her why she hadn't told anyone and she smiled and asked me who would believe such a thing? When I said I would she hugged me and asked me to make sure the story was told, and that it didn't die with her....Consider it done Ms. Lynch....

The point ( and I DO digress) is, that wherever Ms. Lynch is, she was joined, I am certain, by your wonderful grandmother and all those special nurses no longer with us....

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Dear Betts:

{{{{{Heart Hug}}}}} to you . Thanks for sharing about Thelma.

I loss my 94 yo Grandmother Anna in December. She was the eldest surviving of 13 children and the oldest person to have ever lived in her family. She was the matriarch to all extended nieces and nephews, the one with ram-rod spine you had to answer too. We had a wonderful mass and party celebrating her life and reminicing with cousins. Maybe they will met.

I hadn't seen "Nurses are curses" in a long time. Hope you post in Humor section too. Now I too know your secret source of inspiration and poet guide. You did well Thelma in giving us Betts.

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((((((((((Betts)))))))))) I know you will miss your grandmother, she was a great person. You must have made her very proud.

I always find comfort in knowing that although we miss them here on earth, they are helping the angels watch over us, and we will meet again someday.

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Grandmothers are special people. Mine said the first time she crossed the Red River she was in a covered wagon and the last time she crossed it, she was in a jet airplane.

I said, "wow, things have really changed."

She said, " I don't think so, I was scared to death both times !!"

Apparently somethings don't change.

They are all special ladies.

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Many Hugs to you Betts!!!

And may God richly bless you both!

Julie

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