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A Nursing Legacy

Today’s heroes are the nurses, doctors and associates who are on the front line to keep us alive and well. Appropriately, May is the month in which nurses are honored each year with May 6th through 12th designated as National Nurses’ Week, the 12th being the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Nightingale, the “mother of modern nursing” was the first nurse to recognize and institute the practice of cleanliness and hygiene as essential to wellness, healing and recovery from illness.

Currently, there are 20 retired nurses who live at Kirby Pines. Each in her own way has been on the front line during war time or times of high contagion. Kirby nurses remember caring for tuberculosis and polio patients. Many volunteered to help in massive immunization programs such as the polio vaccine of the late 50’s.

So, it is appropriate to recognize one of Kirby’s nurses, Gail Waldrop, who, at age 40, chose nursing as a third career. Her story is not the typical story but one which is inspiring and revealing.

Gail Dodson was born on a farm in Winfield, Alabama, the oldest of nine children. Her nurturing instincts came in to play early as it became her role to be a “second mother” to her siblings. The family moved to Wyandotte, Michigan when she was 14 years old. Her mother was a homemaker and her father was a welder. Following graduation from high school, Gail took a giant step and left her family in Michigan to attend David Lipscomb College in Nashville. She graduated with a B.A. in English and was elected to the honor society, Sigma Tau Delta. Following graduation, Gail chose to be close to family members and moved to Mobile, Alabama for a teaching position. A faithful Christian, Gail met her future husband, Gene, at church. He was a Mississippi State engineering student and was spending the summer working at Brookley Air Force Base. Following his senior year, he “persisted in the pursuit” and he and Gail married on August 29, 1959. They moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he was employed by Chicago Bridge and Iron Co. Gail taught school until their first daughter, Melissa was born. This began Gail’s second career as homemaker. Julie, their second daughter, was born four years later.

During her time as homemaker, Gail’s husband was transferred frequently. They lived in many states, but Gail’s favorite place was the four years they spent in London, England. While there, the family traveled extensively in UK and to most European countries and Russia. In 1976, Gene was transferred to Memphis and the family resided in Germantown. It was during this time that Gail recognized a need to be “useful to society” again. She enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Memphis State University. She graduated in 1980 and began her third career. She worked at St. Francis Hospital on the oncology unit until Gene was once again transferred-this time to Birmingham, Alabama where Gail worked in oncology and hospice care. She soon began to feel the burden of so much sadness and opted for a job with BlueCross/Blue Shield in rehabilitation care. During the 10 years Gail worked for BCBS, she enrolled in the RN to BSN program at University of Alabama. On graduation, Gail was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, a national honorary society of nurses. She also passed the national test for Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurses. Gail’s mother questioned, “Gail, are you ever going to quit going to school?”

Finally, retired from BCBS, but because of her expertise in rehabilitation, Gail was employed part-time by Medicare, working on special projects in conjunction with doctors in all fields of medicine. She was active in the community, serving on the Literacy Council and as docent at Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Birmingham Museum of Art.

When husband, Gene retired, Gail and Gene moved to Collierville to be near family, especially grandchildren. In addition to the two daughters, Gail and Gene were grandparents to four and great-grandparents to one. They became active members of Germantown Church of Christ. Gail also became involved in several community activities, serving as docent at Brooks Museum of Art as well as church activities.

Gail and Gene moved to Kirby Pines in July, 2015. This was the SIXTEENTH home or apartment Gail has lived in. Sadly after nearly 57 years of marriage, Gene passed away on May 20, 2016 from complications of surgery.

Gail Waldrop indeed has a legacy of service. Her 20 years as a nurse met her needs to be of value to mankind as well as meeting the needs of special areas in the nursing arena of care. Gail says, “I have had a wonderful life. I am glad to be at Kirby Pines. It is where I need to be at this stage of my life.”

A special thanks to all the nurses who have contributed to our well-being. Thanks to all the Kirby nurses for the role you have played in making our city and country THE BEST health care system in the world.

Written by Joan Dodson, Resident, Kirby Pines

A HEART OF GOLD

Imagine riding in a one-engine plane with your 70-year-old mother who had just received her license to fly! Such were the experiences of Lea Koonce who grew up as the only child of parents who seemed determined to live life to its fullest. Both parents were professionals as well as artists and collectors. Her mother was an accountant; her father, an electrical engineer, was also a musician, making many of his instruments. Lea’s childhood was unusual but her underlying belief of helping others came from a sound religious upbringing. She credits her maternal grandmother as the one who instilled the belief in “The Golden Rule”. “Put simply”, says Lea, “I enjoy helping someone if I can”. A close friend has said, “Lea would give you her last dollar if she thought you needed it”.

Lea Anna Koonce was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in July 1953. The family moved to Huntsville, Alabama when she was 5 ½ years old. Her father was employed with a company aligned with the space endeavors originating in Huntsville.

During her childhood, Lea developed a love for animals, especially horses. She had her own horse and enjoyed riding as well as water-skiing and boating. While in high school, Lea did volunteer work with the Police Department. Soon the Police Department organized a program to allow other high school youngsters to ride along with policemen on non-dangerous calls. Lea was instrumental in designing the uniform for the group.

Following graduation from high school in 1971, Lea first attended junior college and then transferred to the University of Alabama at Huntsville. As often happens, she met an attractive, young man in the Air Force. A beautiful wedding occurred and the couple traveled for the next 5 years. While in Washington State, Lea enrolled in cosmetology school and became a hairstylist.

However, as sometimes happens, the marriage dissolved in 1978 and Lea moved back with her parents until she could become stabilized. During this time she combined hairstyling with other employment. For several years she worked in electronic supply companies, becoming quite adept at making and repairing circuit boards, telephones, etc. She was part of the Quality Assurance Department when she retired.

By 2011, health problems compounded by mobility issues made it necessary for Lea to require a motorized chair for transportation. Her father passed away and it was only Lea and her mother taking care of each other. Then in 2014, Lea’s mother passed away. The extended family (of which there are many) decided that Lea should move to Kirby Pines so she would be closer to them and situated in a place capable of meeting her needs. Lea did not want to come to Kirby Pines. She laughs and says, “I came to Kirby Pines kicking and screaming all the way. Especially, after the first night here, I saw that 7 murders had occurred in Memphis and I wondered ‘what have I got myself into?’ I was ready to go back to Huntsville. I finally realized I was as safe here as anywhere. I love it here now, it is my home”.

Soon after moving to Kirby Pines, Lea realized that she did not need all the paintings and artwork acquired by her parents. She reserved the LCR and displayed all except the one piece she wanted to keep. She invited her extended family to come and select their choice. Although some were quite valuable, she wanted to make sure that they were given to those who would love and treasure them.

Lea’s beautiful crocheted, beaded and cross-stitched work became noticed. Lea had finally found her niche at Kirby Pines. She was invited to share her crochet work with the residents in Job’s Way. This progressed to making pillows, hats for the 4th of July, picture frames and Christmas tree decorations. Slippers were made to give out as Christmas presents to residents in health areas. She eventually extended her visits to The Manor to play games and cards with the residents there. Occasionally, she gets called to help with a project in Assisted Living. Somehow, Lea discovered that several residents were unable to access or read the menus on TV. Now, she handprints the menus and distributes them so that residents will know their weekly menu.

Because of her disabilities, Lea has made it her goal to be able to walk again. She would need a hip and possible knee replacement. To accomplish this, Lea has lost approximately 115 lbs in a little over a year. She has done this with sheer will power!

To sum up the story of Lea, these are her words: “I have been known to encourage a smile rather than a frown. I want to get the Sunshine Group back in action. Perhaps that is why some people jokingly call me ‘trouble’ when they see me coming. I think Roadrunner might fit.”

The hours Lea spends helping others is admirable. She is always doing a favor for someone and she especially sees a need to interact with our fellow residents in the health areas ~~a lesson we could all learn.

Someone has said, “You can’t judge a book by its cover”. Likewise, one must truly look at the heart of an individual to find the gold therein.

Written by Joan Dodson, Resident, Kirby Pines