Louise C. Druckmiller (1913-2007)

Louise C. Druckemiller, aged 94, died peacefully at Forest View on November 16, 2007. She was born October 14, 1913, and raised in Brainerd, MN.

She graduated from Brainerd High School and attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. An adventurous young woman, she went to New York City, where she pursued her dream of becoming a nurse, and graduated from Cornell Nursing School in 1940. She married William H. Druckemiller, a physician, in 1940. Shortly after their marriage, he joined the Navy. Louise spent the early years of her marriage traveling coast to coast to be near the ports where his ships re-supplied for their war duties. Together she and William had 3 children. She dedicated her time to supporting their school activities and interests – Brownies, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts.

In 1958 the U.S. Naval Surgeon General appointed her to become the President of the Junior Army Navy Guild Organization (JANGO), a volunteer nurses’ aid program for teen-age daughters of military officers. At the time of her appointment, the program was active in 2 locations in Washington, D.C. Under her leadership, the program expanded into the several major naval hospitals around the country – San Diego and Oakland, CA, Bremerton, WA, Great Lakes, IL, and St. Albans, NY. In 1960 she and her husband moved from Bethesda, MD, to Erie where he started a private practice in neurosurgery. They built a home at Manchester Heights where they lived until he died in 1997. She remained in Erie, living at Springhill and Forest View.

As her children moved off into their adult pursuits, Louise turned her considerable interest in volunteerism to focus on the community. She was a member of the Erie County Medical Auxiliary, and served as President. She was an avid tennis player and enthusiastically supported the formation of the Erie County Women’s Tennis League. She was instrumental in the capital campaign for funding the YWCA in Millcreek, and served on the Board of Visiting Nurses Association (VNA). Louise was a devoted member of Wayside Presbyterian Church from the time she joined in the early 1960s. Gardening was a lifelong hobby. She had a prolific “green thumb,” a knack for growing African violets, and was always pleased to be in the presence of plants and beautiful flowers. The family is thankful for the loving and loyal care of her personal aides, the attention and care of the Forest View staff, and the support of her Hospice team. She is survived by two daughters, a son, and ...

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Louise C. Druckemiller, aged 94, died peacefully at Forest View on November 16, 2007. She was born October 14, 1913, and raised in Brainerd, MN.

She graduated from Brainerd High School and attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. An adventurous young woman, she went to New York City, where she pursued her dream of becoming a nurse, and graduated from Cornell Nursing School in 1940. She married William H. Druckemiller, a physician, in 1940. Shortly after their marriage, he joined the Navy. Louise spent the early years of her marriage traveling coast to coast to be near the ports where his ships re-supplied for their war duties. Together she and William had 3 children. She dedicated her time to supporting their school activities and interests – Brownies, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts.

In 1958 the U.S. Naval Surgeon General appointed her to become the President of the Junior Army Navy Guild Organization (JANGO), a volunteer nurses’ aid program for teen-age daughters of military officers. At the time of her appointment, the program was active in 2 locations in Washington, D.C. Under her leadership, the program expanded into the several major naval hospitals around the country – San Diego and Oakland, CA, Bremerton, WA, Great Lakes, IL, and St. Albans, NY. In 1960 she and her husband moved from Bethesda, MD, to Erie where he started a private practice in neurosurgery. They built a home at Manchester Heights where they lived until he died in 1997. She remained in Erie, living at Springhill and Forest View.

As her children moved off into their adult pursuits, Louise turned her considerable interest in volunteerism to focus on the community. She was a member of the Erie County Medical Auxiliary, and served as President. She was an avid tennis player and enthusiastically supported the formation of the Erie County Women’s Tennis League. She was instrumental in the capital campaign for funding the YWCA in Millcreek, and served on the Board of Visiting Nurses Association (VNA). Louise was a devoted member of Wayside Presbyterian Church from the time she joined in the early 1960s. Gardening was a lifelong hobby. She had a prolific “green thumb,” a knack for growing African violets, and was always pleased to be in the presence of plants and beautiful flowers. The family is thankful for the loving and loyal care of her personal aides, the attention and care of the Forest View staff, and the support of her Hospice team. She is survived by two daughters, a son, and three grandchildren.

Friends attended a memorial service at Brugger Home for Funerals, west 38th at Greengarden Blvd., Saturday, December 1, 2008, at 1:00 o’clock.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory would be gratefully received by Hospice Services VNA of Erie, 1305 Peach Street, Erie 16501, or Wayside Presbyterian Church, 1208 Asbury Road, Erie 16505.

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