Gloria W. Celes

months of declining health. She is now whole and perfect in the arms of her Savior.

Gloria was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 6, 1921. Her parents, Gertrude and Harold

Wandland, and her husband, William Celes, precede her in death. She is survived by her cousins,

Robert Fogli and Lorraine Fogli Derrico, many life-long friends, and countless patients, for

whom she cared over the years.

She was best known throughout her life as a dedicated, skilled, compassionate nurse.

After attending Wilson College and Walther Memorial School of Nursing, both in

Chicago, she began her career as a registered nurse in 1943. In 1965, she moved to

Birmingham, Alabama where she worked for the Jefferson County Department of Public Health

and Spain Rehabilitation Center. While at Spain, she was a pioneer and the primary nurse

for the Home Health Care Team, which served those with spinal cord injuries.

She presented at numerous conferences and wrote several publications on the

topic of caring for the spinal cord injured. She was honored and recognized as a

meticulous professional who devoted her entire professional career to the health and

welfare of her patients. In 1987, in recognition for her significant contributions towards

improving the quality of life for the handicapped, Gloria was named a recipient of the

Lotus Award, sponsored by The Women's Committee of Spain Rehabilitation Center.

Ms. Celes was a long-time active member of The Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills, an

active volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and a member of several professional organizations

including the Alabama Board of Nursing, the Association of Rehabilitation

Nursing, the Alabama Public Health Association, the National Spinal Cord Injury

Foundation, the Advisory Council of the Jefferson County Department of Health, and the

Home Care Advisory Board for the Bureau of Public Health Nursing.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on Wednesday, September 16, 2015at the Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lutheran Church at Vestavia Hills, 201 Montgomery Hwy So, Vestavia Hills, Al 35216. Online condolences may be made at ww.ridoutsvalleychapel.com.