Duke Employee Obituaries for April 2005

Wilma A. Minniear, professor emeritus of the School of Nursing and former executive director of nursing services for DukeHospital, died April 26 at Christian Care Retirement Community, Bluffton, Indiana. She was 83.

In 1964, Minniear joined Duke as an assistant professor of nursing at Duke; she became executive director of nursing services in 1970, serving until her retirement in 1984. She also was especially influential during the construction of DukeNorthHospital.

"At a crucial time in the history of DukeHospital, Wilma Minniear took over the responsibilities as executive director of nursing services. She took on this challenge with energy, gentility and dedication. She was a wonderful person, and it was an honor to have her on the DukeHospital team," said William Anlyan, M.D., Duke chancellor emeritus.

Preferred memorials are donations to Friends of Nursing, Box 3543, DukeUniversityMedicalCenter, Durham, N.C.27710 or to other charities of the donor's choice.

Susan Butler, a former Department of Medicine employee, died March 11. Butler worked at Duke from 1954 to 1987.

Mable Dixon, a former laundry services employee, died March 15. Dixon worked at Duke from 1963 to 1995.

Helen Howard, a former community and family medicine employee, died March 15. Howard worked at Duke from 1960 to 1981.

Dorothy Wilkinson, a former School of Nursing employee, died March 28. Wilkinson worked at Duke from 1955 to 1978.

Thomas Clayton, a former environmental services employee, died April 7. Clayton worked at Duke from 1984 to 1994.

Pearlie Lyon, a former clinical procedure employee, died April 7. Lyon worked at Duke from 1952 to 1981.

Helen Crews, a former laundry services employee, died April 9. Crews worked at Duke from 1950 to 1985.

Robert Brown, a former housekeeping employee, died April 11. Brown worked at Duke from 1973 to 2001.

Merle Crittenton, a former police department employee, died April 17. Crittenton worked at Duke from 1961 to 1999.

Alma Johnson, a former HighlandHospital employee, died April 19. Johnson worked at Duke from 1969 to 1978.

Cory Nason, a Lift Flight employee, died April 19. Nason started work at Duke Feb. 4.