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Noravella (Nora) M. Morris Kissel
Noravella (Nora) M. Morris Kissel, 79, of Evansville passed away on
Saturday, February 25, 2006.
Born in 1926 in Terre Haute, Indiana, she was the loving wife of Victor
Joseph Kissel of Evansville for 56 years. Noravella graduated from Winslow
High School in the Class of 1945. Nora graduated in 1948 from
St. Mary's School of Nursing in Evansville as a registered nurse.
Throughout her life, she viewed this accomplish- ment with great pride,
and used her training to become a leader in the medical profession long
before this career path was common for women. She exemplified the core
principles that she learned in her training: to view each patient as if
they personified Christ, and to care for them with dignity and compassion.
She began her career in 1948, as a St. Mary's staff nurse, also serving
as a part-time industrial nurse. When St. Mary's opened their Intensive
Care Unit (ICU) in 1956, she was one of the first group of nurses to staff
this unit. In 1962, she and her family moved to Rochelle, Illinois, where
she served as Emergency Room Supervisor at Rochelle Community Hospital. In
1968, they moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and she served as Head Nurse of
the Intensive Care Unit at Nashville Memorial Hospital. In 1969, her
family moved again to Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, and Nora served as a
staff nurse in both ICU and the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) at St. John's
Hospital in Detroit, one of the largest teaching hospitals in America. In
1979, she accepted a position with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as a
Medical Analyst, serving as a tireless advocate for patients and a
principled and educated intermediary for doctors and hospitals.
Nora had an enduring belief in the arc of medicine, practicing acute
care nursing while maintaining hope and belief in recovery. From 1948
forward, her husband and children enjoyed the privilege of receiving the
most exquisite nursing care, provided with a great love and compassion
that is not replaceable. She will live with us in our hearts forever.
She retired in 1993 and moved back to Evansville in 1994. Nora was a
member of the St. Mary's Alumni Association, and she and her husband spent
summers at their cottage on Lake Huron in Port Austin, Michigan. She was
an avid reader and created beautiful silk flower arrangements. More than
anything she loved music, dancing, her home and her family. In the arms of
her husband Vic, their dancing held the beauty of poetry. She was unique
in that she enjoyed all types of music: contemporary, country, rock and
roll, soul, and the big bands of her era. She was always open to new ideas
and encouraged the same among those she loved.
She was the daughter of William Patrick Morris and Muriel Dunnichay
Morris of Winslow, Indiana. She is survived by her husband, Victor Joseph
Kissel, four daughters, Vicki L. Scruggs of Brentwood, Tenn., Jana K.
(Richard) Jones of Goodlettsville, Tenn., Patti K. (Judge Larry) Potter of
Cordova, Tenn., and Cinda K. (Stephen) Ring of West Simsbury, Conn.; five
grandchildren, Staci Scruggs, Robert, Mark, and Jill Blackford, and Mary
Kathryn Yeiser; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her
brother, William Ian (Phyllis) Morris of Winslow, Indiana.
The family wishes to thank the nurses of St. Mary's ICU, especially
Brad and Joanna, and Mary Ann of the ICU Step Down Unit. We also want to
express deep gratitude to the staff at The John and Betty Charlier Hospice
Center, who opened their hearts to us and cared for Mother with the love,
compassion, skill and dignity that she would have provided to her own
patients.
Visitation was at Ziemer Funeral Home Central Chapel, 626 First
Avenue, on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, from 2 to 8 p.m., with the memorial
service beginning at 7 p.m. Services were at 10 a.m. on Wednesday,
March 1, at Ziemer Funeral Home Central Chapel and continued at St. Mary's
Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. with Father Anthony Kissel officiating.
Entombment was in St. Joseph Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be
made to The John and Betty Charlier Hospice Center and St. Mary's Catholic
Church. Condolences can also be sent online at v.kissel@insightbb.com.
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