Pearl Annette Domma

Died peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011, at Ollie Steele Burden Manor. She was a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge and was born Jan. 7, 1916, to Charles and Marieanne Cassano Domma. Visiting at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church on Friday, Feb. 18, from 9 a.m. until funeral Mass at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Donald Blanchard, celebrant. Interment in Roselawn Memorial Park. She is survived by a sister, Mae Domma McLean; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Nicholas, Frank and Vincent Domma; and two sisters, P.A. Domma and Margaret Domma Landry. Special thanks to close friends, Glenda Carlile and Cheryl Leggio for their loving care. Pallbearers will be Donald Bodenheimer, James Domma, Dale Landry, Greg McLean, Mike McLean and Mike Thibodeaux. Honorary pallbearers are Charles Domma, Ronnie Domma and Ken Domma. She was a graduate of Baton Rouge High School and Our Lady of the Lake Hospital School of Nursing, graduating at the head of her class in 1937. She served her country as a member of the Army nurses corps in World War II for four years. She became a first lieutenant in the 24th Evacuation Hospital and participated in the European Theater of Operations after 17 months of service at Camp Shelby and McCain in Mississippi and Tyson in Tennessee. After four months of preparation in England, her unit arrived on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, on D-Day plus-6 and continued operating throughout France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, caring for casualties of the 1st and 9th armies as well as the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions. Her unit was temporally attached to the British 2nd Army for participation as the only American hospital in the airborne invasion of Holland called Operation Market-Garden. Members of her unit were awarded the European Theater medal with 4 battle stars as well as other commendations. She was discharged in January 1946. Miss Domma later received a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and a master's degree from Emory University. She taught nursing for 16 years in Baton Rouge and Lafayette and retired in 1978. In 2004, Miss Domma received an award from the Baton Rouge District Nurse Association in recognition of her contributions to her profession. For many years she participated as a member of the American Nurses Association, Louisiana State Nurses Association and the Baton Rouge District Nurses Association, serving as its secretary for one year. During her retirement years she enjoyed participating in numerous craft classes at XYZ Club at the First United Methodist Church and in reading, gardening, painting and traveling. Her volunteer efforts were directed toward Meals on Wheels and the Adult Literary Program. She was a member of the Baton Rouge Retired Teachers Association and Southeastern Louisiana Retired Nursing Faculty Association. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 2250 Main St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802, or St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 127, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.