Ernestine Mittelman Wayne

Ernestine ‘Ernie’ Wayne, died quietly at home on Thursday July 1st, surrounded by her family and caregivers. Ernie, along with brother Joseph Mittelman, was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 19th, 1922 but grew up in Los Angeles, California. Daughter of Anna and Maury Mittelman, Ernie graduated from Fairfax High School at age 15 and went on to attend the University of Southern California. She married the love of her life, Bradley Wayne, and moved to Dallas, Texas in 1950. Ernie believed that serving others was the highest calling imaginable, and her own personal service began during World War II, helping care for burn patients at Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles.

After moving to Dallas she was one of the original volunteers at the Suicide Prevention Center. It was this experience that sparked in her the desire to turn her ideas and dreams of what was needed in the community into reality Teaming with Baylor Health Care System, Ernie was instrumental in creating the Caring Hearts Program which has served over 250,000 people to date, Ernie’s Appearance Center, which fulfills the unique needs of cancer patients, and assisted in the launching of the Palliative Care program, recognized last year as one of the top programs in the country, as well as a variety of other charitable causes and programs. The Baylor Flame which sits atop the new Emergency Department and the Bradley Wayne Interfaith Garden of Prayer were donated by the Wayne Family Foundation in honor and memory of Ernie and Brad. Well known as a philanthropist, Ernie was not content to just send a check or attend a function; her unique gift was the ability to define a need, find a willing partner such as Baylor Health Care System, and then implement the program. She truly kept the ‘big picture’ in mind, and no cause was too large or too small if it captured her imagination. She was the ecipient of the Wings of Eagles award as well as a member of both the Keepers of the Flame and the Boone Powell Sr. Society at Baylor Healthcare System.

She was also a past member of the Baylor Health Care System Foundation Board of Directors. An avid reader and traveler, Ernie most enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who kept her phone ringing at all hours, day and night, seeking advice ranging from clothes to food to childrearing. From email and twitter to books, travel and movies. From the complex to the mundane, Ernie was truly ‘Mission Control’. Ernie’s true legacy is the example she set for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, both in her love of her husband, Brad and in the absolute certainty that service to others is essential.

She was preceded in death by her husband. Ernie is survived by her daughter, Sue Strauss and her husband Ted Strauss, daughter Marcy Grace of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and son Jonathan Wayne and his wife, Devon Wayne. Her grandchildren, Lisa Schlachter, Lesli Levine, Willow Grace, Isobel Rippel, Stacy Blank, Britt Sudderth and Braden Wayne as well as her great-grandchildren, Ryan and Ryley Schlachter, Cameron, Cole, Keely and Cody Levine, Jacob Blank and Liam Sudderth. She is also survived by her brother Joe Mittelman, cousin Jay Kanter, nephews, Donald, Ron and John Mittelman, nieces Helene Chisti and Susan Lauffer…..as well as ‘adopted son’ Gregory Demler, her long time companion Virginia Pamindanan and her lovely caregivers, Marsha Sercy, RN; Lee Hartman, RN; Tammy Rodriguez, RN; Katie Sercy, RN; Sonia McConnell, RN; Tessie Gue, RN; Karen Smith, RN, and Dr. Robert Fine, who all meant so much to her.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 4, 2010 at Temple Emanu-El Lefkowitz Chapel, 8500 Hillcrest Road, Dallas TX 75225. Memorial Gifts in Ernie’s honor may be made to the Baylor Healthcare System Foundation or The VNA-Home Health Agency and Hospice Care.