Nancy D. Harrison Lippert

Nancy Darlene Harrison Lippert, RN died on 07/12/2011. She was born June 11, 1932, a true Gemini. You either thought she was fascinating, or she drove you crazy. She was named after her maternal Grandmother, who was named after Abraham Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks.

She attended Kellogg Elementary School, Roosevelt Intermediate School and the 10th grade at East High School, in Wichita, Kansas. She finished high school at Memminger High School, in Charleston SC as part of the last class in America’s oldest All-Girl High School.

She returned to Wichita University, where she was a member of the Epsilon Kappa Rho Sorority. During her freshman year, she was baptized at her grandmother church’s church and had maintained her Baptist teachings.

She graduated from the Macon Hospital School of Nursing, Macon, Georgia, in 1955 and the University of Hawaii, in 1960, with a BSN. While in Hawaii, she worked as Relief Nurse at the dormitories Infirmary at the Punaho High School, the School where later President Obama would attend.

In 1956, she came to Oklahoma City. While at the University Hospital, she worked a 24 hour shift to care for the first corneal transplant performed in Oklahoma by Dr. Charles A. Royer. In 1964, she married George G. Tevault and moved to Midwest City. She left the hospital to become an Instructor at the Midwest City Vocational Technical Practical Nursing Program. While there, she was recommended, and accepted, the position of Coordinator/Instructor at the Mid-America Vocational/Technical School, at

Wayne, Oklahoma. She wrote the curriculum, designed the uniform and cap and taught for 2 years until commuting became a problem.

She returned to Oklahoma City and finished her career as the Epidemiology Nurse Specialist at Presbyterian Hospital. She was part of the first group of Infection Control Professionals to become nationally certified in Infection Control, and maintained her certification until retirement. While at Presbyterian, she started an educational program, “Fundamentals for the Beginning Infection Control and Employee Health Professional.” It was recognized by the national organization for Infection Control, APIC, and the Chief Nurse of the Air Force, as well as recommended by the Joint Commission for

Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH). Attendees were from 37 states, 5 countries and 4 branches of the military.

She was well-known for her sense of humor and smile that was accentuated by 2 deep dimples. Her nickname, in the Medical Records Department was “SunShine.” She diffused many tense meetings with her choice of wit.

After retirement, she learned that her teachers at Capitol Hill Elementary were using their own money to provide underwear and socks for needy students. She began a continuing donation of these articles and was soon known as “The Underwear Lady.” She also became involved in the HOST program (Helping One Student at a Time) and was especially proud when one year, her student raised her reading skills from a 3rd grade level to a 5th grade level.

In 1980, she married Bruce D. Lippert and instantly became a wife, mother and grandmother to Bruce’s 5 children. Each summer, they took one grandchild on a historical trip that covered the U.S. The biggest thrill, however, was to beat Gramma Nancy at Crazy Eight. She also joined Bruce in attending the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Sadly, Bruce died in 2007 after 27 years of marriage. Her only sibling, a brother, Dr. Robert J. Harrison, died in 2010.

She planned her own burial and requested no service. She had 2 requests for memorials, however. The Salvation Army, Senior Utilities Program, P.O. Box 2536, OKC 73101-2536 or the OKC Public School Homeless Program, assistance to emancipated high school.

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