Jul 30, 2006 23:12
NAME: JOYCE ZIMA CONNER
LOCATION: MYRTLE BEACH,SC
E-MAIL: littlezimaatthebeach@yahoo.com
COMMENTS: Linda, I can't believe I've pulled this site up, and found you! Yuo are still still a dedicated professional if there ever was one! I have married, divorced, and was just updating my resume, and needed addresses, and here I am. I now have 3 children,Eric 14, and 7 year old twin girls, Nicole and Alyssa. Still working full-time , {I suspect till the day I die} as a recovery room nurse of 17 years. I still keep in contact with Liz Buehner of Pittsburgh. Hope you are doing well!
Jul 16, 2006 02:46
NAME: Vernon Dutton at Nursing Pins
LOCATION: New Orleans
E-MAIL: http://www.rubylane.com/shops/nursingpins
COMMENTS: I have alot of new pins...I will help find and replace lost Graduation Pins, Vernon. http://www.rubylane.com/shops/nursingpins
Jun 02, 2006 19:42
NAME: Linda (Rombach) Good
LOCATION: Harrisburg, PA
E-MAIL: lgood7259@netzero.com
COMMENTS: It was so wonderful to find this website. I have many wonderful memories of my time at the nursing school(graduate of 1979). It was sad to me that we let our 25 year reunion get away from us. But who's to say that we cannot have a 26th year reunion? If anyone from the 1979 class is interested let me know. I would love to see you guys and catch up on your lives.
Apr 25, 2006 19:53
NAME: Deborah A. Hogue
LOCATION: 115 Mason Lane
E-MAIL: wastedlizard@adelphia.net
COMMENTS: My Cousin Norberta Bronner Rimbach graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing. She went on to be the head nurse of the psych ward at St. Francis. She left when she and her husband (now deceased) started their family. She lives 8550 Babcock Blvd., Pgh. Pa. 15237 I could not find her on your list of graduates. Thanks
Apr 23, 2006 11:34
NAME: ( P.)Michelle O'Neal (Itzcovitz) Class of 1981
LOCATION: Salem New Jersey
E-MAIL: monealmsn@aol.com
COMMENTS: I am going to the 71st annual reunion on April 30th and was wondering if anyone is interested in traveling with me. I am planning on leaving on Saturday, staying overnight at a local hotel and returning on Sunday evening. If anyone is interested please contact me at my email address.
Apr 19, 2006 11:46
NAME: Mary Ann Gadomski Wasiel
LOCATION: 24335 Cheryl Kelton Place Newhall CA 91321
E-MAIL: mwasiel@dhs.ca.gov
COMMENTS: I would like to know if I could obtain a copy of the words that we used to sing for the song from St Francis, to the music of Chopin's Etude.
Mar 29, 2006 18:15
NAME: Marlene Kelly (Covin)
LOCATION: Plano, Texas
E-MAIL: marlene.covin@comcast.net
COMMENTS: After 25 years of wearing my St. Francis pin, I have lost mine (fell off my uniform) Is there any way to replace it? Class of 1981
Feb 09, 2006 12:40
NAME: Barbara Thompson Jones
LOCATION: 111 Grandview Ave. Pittsburgh
E-MAIL: seaoakbarb@aol.com
COMMENTS: I would like to join the alumni association in Pittsburgh. Would like to know who to contact.
class of 1959
Jan 04, 2006 08:29
NAME: Judy Bay RN, Legal Nurse Consultant,Class of 1979
LOCATION: Kissimmee, FL
E-MAIL: jabwsrn@aol.com
COMMENTS: After a brief hiatus I returned to the site to view many new entries. I would love to hear from my fellow classmates. Pls feel free to e mail me (place your name & St Francis in the subject matter)
Jan 07, 2006 16:27
NAME: Amy Oliphant
LOCATION: Durham, NC
E-MAIL: burliphant@nc.rr.com
COMMENTS: Jan 2006-- So happy to find this website. I have been feeling a "St Francis" void in my life ever since I heard that the Hospital closed. That really chipped a piece out of my heart. What wonderful times we had during those years of training, and what fond memories of working in Peds during my early years as a new grad, beginning the summer of 1971. Last year I took early retirement, but won't rule out working part-time in Nursing in the years to come. Some people say that Nursing get's into your blood...I prefer to think that it gets into your heart and finds a comfortable place to rest. I will always treasure the years that I spent in Nursing and my roots at St. Francis. Fondly, Amy Oliphant '71
Jan 08, 2006 12:07
NAME: Amy Oliphant "71
LOCATION: Durham, NC
E-MAIL: burliphant@nc.rr.com
COMMENTS: I just happened upon your St Francis Alumni website when I went looking for some sort of “official” site. Thought that perhaps someone in the Alumni Assn…assuming that still exists…might be maintaining a website. Not sure how to share this information, but thought that perhaps some folks in the Class that preceded me would want to know.
I graduated in 1971 and my cousin, Noel, graduated the previous year, 1970. Noel Lang (later Colaizzi, and then Olinger) died on 12/24/05, just this past Christmas eve, and I thought that some of her classmates would want to know. I realize that over the Holidays, many folks are traveling and at best may not be reading the obituaries in the local newspaper, so I thought that it was unlikely that many of her classmates knew about her death. Fortunately, we were working our way from NC through WV and then on to Pittsburgh, when we received word of her death. She was born on Christmas Day 12/25/50 and died 12/24/05, rather odd.
Noel was a dear but troubled soul, who had so much compassion for others. She had the most wonderful laugh. Although she was a year ahead of me in Nursing school, I was actually a year older than her. We commuted together during our SFGH school days and then afterward while she was a new grad, working on 2400 (Ortho) and then on to the ER, prior to beginning Anesthesia school. While growing up we lived in the same neighborhood (a very clannish family), and went to the same Catholic schools all through our grade school and high school years. I have the sweetest memories of our years together and will always treasure them. Unfortunately, Noel lost a dear brother while she was in her teenage years, and her parents as a young adult. She has another brother, from whom the entire family was estranged. Her two marriages did not work out or provide any children over the years. Noel had Lupus for many years which left her with many complications and much misery. Peggy Cooney, one of her classmates who remained Noel’s friend came to the funeral home, but I am not aware that any other classmates knew of her death. Please pray for her and pass this information along to her classmates (Class of ’70) if possible. She is loved and will be missed.
Dec 15, 2005 15:32
NAME: Howard & Mary Lee malinski
LOCATION: 1446 George Bason Road Graham, NC 27253
E-MAIL: HMalins@aol.com
COMMENTS: We are looking for Sister Colette Wintill who is my wife Mary Lee Wintill Malinski's Aunt. Last address we have for Sister Colette is 146 Hawthorne Road We would like to have a current address and phone number if possible. Thank You, Howard M.
Nov 16, 2005 17:05
NAME: gerry
LOCATION: pittsburgh
E-MAIL: gerryhub@aol.com
COMMENTS: does anyone know where mary schranghamer, `67 is? best friend from hs.
Nov 07, 2005 21:30
NAME: Ann Marie Reilly
LOCATION: Warrenton, Virginia
E-MAIL: ann.reilly@inova.com
COMMENTS: My mother, Imelda Caton graduated from St. Francis in 1942. She married John B. Reilly and worked for Prince George's General Hospital for 25 years. She was in nursing administration at PGGH. Imelda also graduated with a business degree from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. She died October 7, 1981. She had 8 children, and presently there are 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren "on the way".
Oct 30, 2005 01:18
NAME: Cheryl Brown
LOCATION: Pittsburgh Pa
E-MAIL: tuffiebrown@aol.com
COMMENTS: Would be nice if the Alvernia graduates were recognized. We were no less a part of the history of St. Francis. We are also well respected in our field because of the excellent education we recieved.
NOTE: Certainly the Alvernia grads were an important part of the history of St. Francis. I worked there as an LPN before I became an RN. However, I don't have any information about the Alvernia School. - Linda Fluharty
Oct 22, 2005 19:17
NAME: Loretta Brush Normile
LOCATION: Olney, Maryland
E-MAIL: lnormile@gmu.edu
COMMENTS: I graduated from the Alvernia School of Practical Nursing in 1963. I went on to obtain a BSN,MN and then a PhD but never forgot the wonderful years I worked at St. Francis Hospital where I worked for 10 years. Some of that time was as a LPN and some of it was as a instructor at the Practical Nursing school. St. Fsrancis was a wonderful hospital that gave excellent care and produced some of the finest LPNs and RNs in the City of Pittsburgh.
Sep 25, 2005 14:14
NAME: Jason Canon
LOCATION: Virginia
E-MAIL: jmc@canon.org
COMMENTS: My mother-in-law's maiden name was Irene Barbara Stager who was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She graduated from St Francis in the early 1940's and became a nurse for the U.S. Navy during WWII. She was inurned at the Naval Academy on Sept 23, 2005. May she rest in peace.
Aug 17, 2005 20:38
NAME: George Kasnic
LOCATION: Gainesville, FL
E-MAIL: kazpurr3@cox.net
COMMENTS: I am looking for a class mate of mine from Ambridge High School in Ambridge, PA who graduated in 1959J. Her name at the time was Nancy Zahner.
Jul 18, 2005 11:06
NAME: Mary M. Martinez
LOCATION: Frederick, MD
E-MAIL: truckdriverz@netscape.com
COMMENTS: Glad to see a site pertaining to St. Francis. Awesome!!I attended the Alvernia School of Practical Nursing in 1985 (wish we had a site, too!!)and found out by accident that the hospital was gone. I worked there from 1985-1987 and again from 1990-1994. I did manage to get a brick from the med. parking complex!! This site helped me to re-connect. Thanks!!
Jul 07, 2005 05:02
NAME: Vernon Dutton
LOCATION: New Orleans
E-MAIL: vdutton@aol.com
COMMENTS: I have had beautiful pins from St. Francis before. Please check my site from time to time if you are interested in obtaining one. I will offer you a discounted price. Thanks,vernon. http://www.rubylane.com/shops/nursingpins
Jul 01, 2005 22:51
NAME: Gary Dubiel
LOCATION: Oriental, North Carolina
E-MAIL: captgary@specfever.com
COMMENTS: I was glad to see the site, but saddened to see that my big sister, Nancy Perry 1982, passed in 2003. If anyone could let me know more about her I would be very grateful. I hope all my friends and class mates from 82 and 83 are healthy and prosperous. Seeing the site and hearing of Nancy got me thinking of you all...miss you!!! Gary Dubiel class of 1983
Jun 08, 2005 17:13
NAME: Susan Polonus Mucha
LOCATION: Augusta, Georgia
E-MAIL: susanpmucha@comcast.net
COMMENTS: Hi fellow St. Francis Nurses. I'm using my training in a "different" way. I earned a BA in English and Spanish and a masters in writing popular fiction and now teach college English. The big news is that I've just had my first book published (Deadly Deception ISBN: 1-891799-25-8). It's a murder mystery -- and would you believe -- I used my medical background to help me "commit murder" in an original manner.
I'll be in Pittsburgh June 23 -26 for booksignings and talks. I sure would like to see some familiar faces. Visit my website to read more.
www. susanpmucha.com
Susan Polonus Mucha
May 19, 2005 08:43
NAME: courtney winn
LOCATION: Pittsburgh, Pa
E-MAIL: courtneywinn@hotmail.com
COMMENTS: This website is a blessing. I am a proud graduate of the very last class of 2002. As difficult and trying school was, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The school and hospital will always hold a very special place in my heart-as well as our excellent instructors. The memory will be kept alive and hopefully our nurses will continue to provide compassionate and skillful care that we were taught so well in the nursing program. I can find all of the names of our graduate nurses if needed. Thanks again.
May 11, 2005 16:27
NAME: Carol Fowler
LOCATION: Johnstown, PA
E-MAIL: cfowler7@earthlink.net
COMMENTS: I am a grad of the class of 1985. I am searching for a classmate and friend, Sandra Ketterer. If anyone has any information regarding her location, I would love to hear from her!
May 02, 2005 13:15
NAME: Bernice M. ( Treu ) Kukawa Class of 59 J
LOCATION: Allison Park, PA.
E-MAIL: bkukawa@hotmail.com
COMMENTS: It is great that you started this web site. My sincere congratulations.
A special hello to Barb Thompson. I totally agree with you, they were the best years of our life. We transformed from crazy young girls to mature young women in a matter of three years.
A special hello to Dr. Ruiz. I also agree with you, the hurt is all gone, now the great memories remain. I wish the very best to you and your family.
Looking forward to the 50 yr. reunion.. God willing I hope to be there.
I hope to see as many of you from the June Class as possible.
Sincerely and God Bless.......
Apr 19, 2005 17:44
NAME: Marty Bier Samson
LOCATION: Meridian, MS
E-MAIL: dodsamson@comcast.net
COMMENTS: This is very sad that our hospital closed!! Is anyone from the "Happy 12" as we loosly called ourselves reading this? We graduated in 1961. Sadly Rosemary Castignello has died. St. Francis sure prepared us to be good nurses!
Apr 07, 2005 01:28
NAME:
LOCATION:
E-MAIL: tgmccree@aol.com
COMMENTS: looking for an old friend robert washington 1968
Mar 30, 2005 22:05
NAME: Leonard J. Dollar
LOCATION: 120 Park Crest Ln, Butler,PA 16001
E-MAIL: lenjdollar@zoominternet.net
COMMENTS: Still looking for someone out there who knows the where abouts of Violet Humenik from Homestead, PA. Class of 1953.Part of her training had her at the Veterans Hospital in Butler,PA in 1952.
Mar 23, 2005 09:00
NAME: Mary McKelvey (Watkins)
LOCATION: Lansing, MI
E-MAIL: mary.mckelvey@irmc.org
COMMENTS: Hello. I am a graduate of the class of 1993 St. Francis School of Nursing. I was hoping to connect with some of my fellow classmates! Amy Davis or Christine Hinzes if you are out there please contact me! I was very excited to find this website; I actually came accoss it by accident. I had no idea the school closed. Hello to all from the class of 2003.
Mar 21, 2005 17:50
NAME: jan devenny /winkler
LOCATION: Chesterland, Ohio
E-MAIL: jandevenny@yahoo.com
COMMENTS: I would like to purchase a nursing pin. I graduated in 1965 and my pin was destroyed. Is there anyone who knows where I might look?
Mar 16, 2005 12:09
NAME: Laura
LOCATION: Raleigh, NC
E-MAIL: lsolkowitz@aol.com
COMMENTS: I graduated with my RN in 1992. I found this site while looking for info about transcripts for an RN/MSN program. Does anyone have an email list of faculty? I'd like to let my teachers know that I have been successful despite a rocky start.
Mar 14, 2005 10:43
NAME: Liz Hodgson Wertz (Rykaczewski at graduation)
LOCATION: Seven Fields, PA
E-MAIL: wertze@pediatricalliance.com
COMMENTS: I am so happy to see the web site up and running. I registered for our 25th reunion this year (!!!) and hope to see lots of our 1980 class at this one! Please support your alumni association and also come to the reunion.
Mar 10, 2005 10:55
NAME: Lorra Hess
LOCATION: Northville, Michigan
E-MAIL: patom@msn.com
COMMENTS: I am sad to see this great the memory of school go away, but our children and patients and thier offspring will show our devotion to the care of the sick. I want to thank those teachers and my fellow students for helping me through the tough times in school, know that the lessons learned have made me a better nurse, mother and wife. God Bless each of you. Our school may be gone but the love, faith and hope will live fars past the bricks of St. Francis school of nursing in Pittsburgh. And who knows how the future may unfold. Just keep hope in God. We may return some day as a house of training nurses. Thankyou again and God bless each of you, and may we continue to show our excellence to all.
Feb 21, 2005 13:56
NAME: Sister Florence Brandt, OSF
LOCATION: Mt. Alvernia, Millvale, PA
E-MAIL: brandt@millvalefranciscans.org
COMMENTS: Sister Mary Daniel Ruffing died last evening, February 20, 2005. Her funeral will be on Wednesday, February 23. Sister was a nurse who served at St. Francis Hospital, Columbus, Georgia and St. Francis in Pittsburgh. She was supervisor of obstetrics and later taught and was counselor in the school of nursing. Sister also served as a vice-president of the administrative team of St. Francis. May she rest in peace.
Feb 13, 2005 07:19
NAME: Roseann M. Vamos
LOCATION: Pittsburgh, PA 15227
E-MAIL: rvamos@howardhanna.com
COMMENTS: Hi, I graduated in 1976 as Roseann Maria Romano. I have since lost my Nursing graduation pin. I would love to buy a new one, or know where I could order one. Please contact me @ 412-882-5624. I look forward to hearing from you. Roseann
Feb 03, 2005 20:24
NAME: Jo-Ann Rezak Bartnikowski
LOCATION: Rock Hill, SC
E-MAIL: mamaonthelake@aol.com
COMMENTS: I'm a 1970 graduate of Alvernia School of Practical Nursing. I was wondering if it is still possible to order a class ring. Thank you
Jan 25, 2005 14:46
NAME: James C. Arthur, RN, CFRN
LOCATION: Newport Beach (Orange County), California
E-MAIL: hollywood_429@yahoo.com
COMMENTS: I first want to thank you for this wonderful site...I've been out of town for a while and recently heard the news of the fate of the hosptial and my school. How sad! Secondly, I wanted to leave an archiveable update of my status and life...in case any of my old classmates find their way out West. Currently, I am working as a Flight Nurse with a large Air Medical Transport Company...12 helicopters and multiple fixed wing aircracft. I am also doing a local ER travel assignment and have a killer apartment on the beach in Orange County. Of course, anyone who runs across this message board can feel free to contact me via my email address above. Good luck to you all and God Bless!
Jan 09, 2005 21:35
NAME: Bonnie Parana Bowman
LOCATION: 8301 Plumwood Court Orangevale, Ca.
E-MAIL: BBowman@earthlink.net
COMMENTS: Valerie Regetz I have been trying to find you for many years. You went to school with me Sept. 1962-64. You left before graduating. Please contact me.
Dec 15, 2004 04:44
NAME: Vincent Borrelli
LOCATION: St. Louis, MO
E-MAIL: st_vincent17@yahoo.com
COMMENTS: I was in the last class to graduate, 2002, from St. Francis and myself and none of my classmates are listed. Why? It's sad that St. Francis is no longer, and it's sad that the last class to graduate is not listed with the others. Oh well, se le vie!
NOTE: This list would be very welcome and if someone sends it, it will be added to this site very promptly. - Linda Fluharty, LCFlu@aol.com
Nov 26, 2004 13:07
NAME: Christina Szolis Preisser
LOCATION: 19 Revere Rd. Ardsley, NY 10502
E-MAIL: bfp19@email.msn.com
COMMENTS: I am a 1963 Graduate currently employed in New York City @ Tiffany & Co. as Nurse Manager Health & Safety Services NYC. I would appreciate communication with other graduates who shared St. Francis' unique experience.
Nov 05, 2004 11:56
NAME: Rosann Spiegel
LOCATION: Miami, Florida
E-MAIL: rmspiegel@bellsouth.net
COMMENTS: I was very sad when I learned that St. Francis had been sold and the School of Nursing was closed as a result. My years as a student nurse at St. Francis have influenced me throughout my life, and I am so happy to know that there is still a bond among the alumni. Since graduating in 1980, I was always so impressed that St. Francis School of Nursing was able to survive as nursing programs moved to college and university settings.
Nov 02, 2004 17:32
NAME: Chris Johnson
LOCATION: Amarillo,Tx
E-MAIL: Chrajohns0@aol.com
COMMENTS: I am looking for any info and pics of my late Grandmother. Her name is Dorothy Joan Kessler Cline. She passed away in 2001. She was a grad from the nusing school in 1947. any info would be greatful.
thank you, Chris Johnson
Oct 30, 2004 23:05
NAME: Leonard J. Dollar
LOCATION: Butler,PA
E-MAIL: lenjdollar@aol.com
COMMENTS: would appreciate any info on Violet Humenik ,class of 1953 that spent time at the Veterans Hospital in Butler,PA in 1952 as part of her training.
Sep 14, 2004 12:36
NAME: Corinne (Jeske) Douglas
LOCATION: Bay City, Mi
E-MAIL: cdouglas517@charter.net
COMMENTS: I,m going to Pittsburgh next month and was looking forward to seeing St. Francis. I took my psych training there in 1958. I was most happy to find your site!
Aug 30, 2004 09:45
NAME: michael mccann
LOCATION: presbyterian seniorcare
E-MAIL: shamus08@yahoo.com
COMMENTS: I would like to buy an nursing school pin from anyone that is interested in selling one. My friend lost her's and she is an 1979 graduate of SFSN. Please email me.
Aug 26, 2004 10:09
NAME: Mary Q Gallup
LOCATION: Claremont, California
E-MAIL: mgallup@chs.cusd.claremont.edu
COMMENTS: My daughter is receiving her medical school training at Uniiversity of Pittsburgh and naturally wanted to know about where in Pittsburgh, Grandma trained as a nurse. I was deeply saddened to find your site and see that my mother's alma mater, St Francis Hospital, was closed down. I found on your site acknowledgement again for what I always knew about my mother and her nurse's training: it was the best, it was comprehensive and she stood head and shoulders above others in her skill and knowledge which she attributed to her training at St. Francis. Thank you for this opportunity to reaffirm what I always knew about a short, petite little Italian lady from Charleroi, PA who graduated class of 1933 from St Francis. Edith B Issi moved to California during the second world war to Santa Monica where she worked as a private duty nurse and as a hospital nurse at St. John's Medical Center, Santa Monica. She died 9/12/1983. She was one of the best nurses I ever knew. They do not make them like her any more. May she rest in peace.
PS. I guess there is some circularity here: agrand daughter training by sheer coincidence in the city where her grandmother trained. Perhaps, she will have the opportunity to serve in the hospital that will take the place of St. Francis.
Jun 26, 2004 20:35
NAME: Carmina Danini
LOCATION: San Antonio, TX
E-MAIL: cdanini@express-news.net
COMMENTS: Your Web site for the alumni of St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing was a godsend. I'm a reporter writing the obit of Agnes O'Neill, who served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in World War II.
She died in San Antonio on Wednesday at age 96 and only a nephew around to give some information. He wasn't sure when she graduated from St. Francis but she's on the list as graduating in 1932.
Thanks so much
Spent a wonderful 34 years at St. Francis. Graduated in 1968, the last of the three year program. Stayed until October 31, 2002. It was a wonderful experience.
Susan Pisanko - Pittsburgh, Pa USA - Thursday, February 19, 2004 at 09:51:47 (EST)
I am a graduate of the class of 1959. They were the best
years of my life. In my heart St. Francis will never be gone.
Barbara Thompson Jones -
Pittsburgh, Pa. USA - Monday, February 16, 2004 at 23:02:55 (EST)
I graduated from St Francis in 1996 and was so sad to see that it had closed. It is a pleasure seeing this site. Thank you!
Beth Kosinski -
Port St Lucie , FL USA - Thursday, February 05, 2004 at 09:04:46 (EST)
The people who were employees at St Francis when it was sold are now (understandably) very angry and bitter. I know many don't have a good thing to say about the hospital or the administration. I hope they will come around and realize that St. Francis hospital was a wonderful place for many of us. Maybe that is why it hurt so bad because there was so much love there. It's like the foundation collapsed but the survivors need a place to unite. Thanks for this great site.
Mary -
Pittsburgh, PA USA - Wednesday, January 28, 2004 at 10:53:15 (EST)
I do not have the address of the alumni association handy, but I will find it and post it. The alumni association is still active and holds the fall festival and reunion events, and still sends the Franciscan newsletter. Here is where to send for a transcript:
Transcripts can be obtained by sending a written request with year of graduation and name at graduation with a $5.00 check made payable to:
"Sisters of St. Francis at Millvale" and mail to:
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF MILLVALE
146 HAWTHORNE ROAD
PITTSBURGH, PA. 15209
ATTENTION: St. Francis School of Nursing OR
Alvernia School of Practical Nursing
Diane - USA - Wednesday, January 14, 2004 at 15:30:57 (EST)
Thank you so much for maintaining this web site. I wasn't sure where my sister Theresa Desiderati took her nurses training, but I found her name listed as graduating in 1951. Unfortunately, Theresa passed away January 1, 2004, and I needed this info for her obituary. Thanks so much again.
Sincerely, Frank Desiderati
Frank Desiderati - USA - Sunday, January 11, 2004 at 20:19:14 (EST)
Can you send me the address to get a transcript from school? I think they still have records at Mt Alvernia but I do not have the address. I am a June 68 graduate!
Marcelene Sayno McLure - New Bern, NC USA - Saturday, January 10, 2004 at 14:38:19 (EST)
I did my psyche nurses training at St. Francis in 1956 and I remember it as quite an experience. I like your idea of using the internet to carry on your story. Hello to anyone who may have been there when I was there.
Connie Barto Sementilli -
Erie, Pa USA - Tuesday, January 06, 2004 at 08:35:54 (EST)
Linda,
This evening I found your site in the internet. Very well done. This emotional site brings memories of St. Francis Hospital filled with a mixture of anger and happiness. Many people,including me, don't believe it did happen. I do believe the anger will melt away the happiness accumulated on so many years of work will persist for ever. Your nurses of St Francis will live for centuries in the hearts of the Pittsburgh community.
Cesar A. Ruiz, MD -
Greensboro, NC USA - Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 18:40:41 (EST)
I worked at St. Francis and went down with the ship in 02. It was a Fun place to work at with a BUNCH of great people. i also met my bf of 2 years there so id have to say that was the best thing to come out of that place for me. I stil miss all the CrAzY People who came in and out of there. And all of my co-workers. Sad Sad thing that happend. :(
Emily -
Pittsburgh , Pa USA - Saturday, December 06, 2003 at 00:22:22 (EST)
I enjoyed visiting your site. My Alma Mater was Hamot Hospital School of Nursing in Erie, PA. It is also now gone although the hospital is still there and doing well. What a nice tribute you have done. Continued good luck.
Karen Jewell Ahlgren -
Russell, PA USA - Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 21:18:41 (EST)
What a beautiful website! I used to live down the street from St. Francis and a number of my relatives worked there. I was so sad to hear about the closing. I always heard the nurses were so good there. Good Luck and I'll check back to see the messages.
Ivy Shaffer -
Columbus, OH USA - Monday, November 17, 2003 at 20:26:46 (EST)
How well I remember St. Francis. I was down there for Psych training at the end of '54 and 2 months into '55. The tunnels that we were required to use at night with the German Shepherds and policemen to take us through are sticks in my memory.
Does anyone remember a patient named Penny? She was a young girl, can't remmeber her diagnosis, mental retrdation might not be too far off. She was on the women's floor, of course in the locked area with the porches.
I agree with the statement that we were excellent nurses with lots of hands on, invaluable experience.
I wish you luck with your site, my school, Spencer Hosp. School of Nursing, too was closed so I know how you feel.
Jean Branstiter [Kistner] - Brenham, Tx. USA - Thursday, October 30, 2003 at 15:21:59 (EST)
I took my psychiatric nurses training at St. Francis Hospital in 1956.
JoAnn Maier -
Rio Rancho, NM USA - Wednesday, October 29, 2003 at 22:08:20 (EST)
I was born in the St. Francis Hospital in 1932.
I was also taught by the Franciscan nuns for 8 years at the Corpus Christi School , I am very sorry to see my history got via the wrecking ball.
Loretta Cornyn Laile -
Clermont, FL USA - Wednesday, October 29, 2003 at 20:06:24 (EST)
I graducated from Saint Francis in Sept.1964. I went on to earn a BS at the University of Pittsburgh and a MS in Nursing at Boston University. I founded a nonprofit in 2001 and launched Community Parish Nursing, Inc with a seed grant from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The mission of Community Parish Nursing is to help the older folks in Reading stay well and remain safely in their homes, connected to the community. As a nurse in the role of whole person heath care manager, my practice reflects the values that were instilled in me during my training at Saint Francis School of Nursing.
Sandra Fuchs Trainor -
Reading, MA USA - Wednesday, October 29, 2003 at 09:10:45 (EST)
My gr aunt, Barbara Siegmann Evans graduated from St. Francis somewhere between 1908 and 1912, I believe. She worked as a private nurse for several wealthy Pgh families . . . traveling to many U.S. locales and Cuba. She had fond memories of her school days.
Sandy Laurie -
Jamestown, PA USA - Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 19:46:57 (EST)
I took my psych training at St. Francis during the summer and fall of 1956. A lot of great memories.
Barbara Yeager Charles -
Erie, PA USA - Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 06:24:46 (EST)
Hi Linda, Very nice thought. I have worked at St Francis Hospital a number of years servicing and repairing there elevators for Marshall Elevator CO in Pittsburgh, PA. I know St Francis was having trouble paying there bills when I retired in Jan. 2001. The strange part is they were always remodeling and building the whole time I worked around there. I will spead word of YOUr new project and wish YOU Success. Jim
James R Cottrill -
Pittsburgh, PA USA - Monday, October 27, 2003 at 16:03:54 (EST)