Although Dorothy Bower retired from nursing in 1988, she maintained a current license in the profession she loved until her death July 24.
Services were Monday for Bower, who died after a long battle with cancer. She was 76.
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A registered nurse for 56 years, Bower spent more than half her professional career at UNMC where she retired as pediatric head nurse.
“One thing Dorothy was known for was her love and friendliness and her hugs,” said her husband of 58 years, John. “She helped so many people in so many areas.”
Bower moved from Missouri to Nebraska when she was 8 or 9 and briefly lived in Lincoln, before the family relocated to Omaha. In 1944, she married John Bower before he spent more than two years in Europe during World War II.
Bower graduated from Methodist’s three-year nursing program in 1946. Over the years, she worked at Methodist, Clarkson, the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute (doing mental retardation research) and UNMC/NHS.
“Dorothy influenced so many medical people and cared for so many children hospitalized at UNMC,” said Diane Dodendorf, Ph.D., research division, family medicine.
“A lot of doctors have said that she influenced their career and parents have told us their children are alive today because of Dorothy Bower,” said Bower’s daughter, Susan Tetrick.
Family and friends are remembering Bower’s wonderful sense of humor, photographic memory and passion for helping others.
“She loved taking care of people, and her colleagues had great confidence in her knowledge and abilities,” her husband said.
Upon retirement, she volunteered her nursing skills at a senior living complex at 24th and B streets. She also was active with her church, All Saints Episcopal Church. She was a life member of the UNMC Auxiliary, administered to the sick as a pastoral care volunteer at Bergan Mercy Hospital, was a member of the board of St. Vincent’s House shelter and served in leadership roles of several organizational groups.
She also is survived by a son, Robert, (a surgeon and UNMC graduate), six grandchildren; a brother, Robert Sibert; and sister, Marilyn Sibert.