CULVER - Miss Ruth Werner, 95, died Sept. 4, 2006, after a short illness. Miss Werner was born in Morgantown, W.Va. to Howard L. and Lessie E. Werner.
She was preceded in death by her twin brother Robert Werner; her brother John Werner; and sisters, twins, Mary Ricciardi and Martha Stapan.
Miss Werner graduated from Culver High School and went on to receive her RN from St. Lukes Hospital School of Nursing, Chicago, Ill. in 1932.
After graduation as a Registered Nurse, she worked in several hospitals in the Midwest, Texas and Colorado gaining experience, specializing in pediatrics. She received her BS in nursing education from the University of Pittsburgh, Pa. Miss Werner worked from 1951 to 1954 as the director of Nursing Services at John Gaston Hospital Memphis, Tenn. and received her master's degree in administration from Memphis State University. In February 1954 she embarked on a new adventure setting up for the opening of the new University of Mississippi Medical Center, in Jackson, Miss. She worked there as the Director of Nursing Service until 1973 and then worked in the UMMC Health Related Professions until her retirement in November 1975.
In 2001, Miss Werner moved back to Culver to live with her niece, Sally Ricciardi, who survives. She is also survived by nieces: Anita O'Toole, Kent, Ohio; Marizetta Kenney, Culver; Janice Kemp-Phillippy, Tampa, Fla.; Jeanne Wightman, Sanford, Fla.; Mary Ricciardi, Harlington, Texas; Lucinda Miller, Bloomington and nephews: Bob Werner, Skaneateles, N.Y.; John Robinson, Huntingberg; Edward Ricciardi, Haverhill, Mass. and Mike Werner, Mishawaka.
Miss Werner was active with Christ Lutheran Church in Jackson, Miss. and the Mississippi Business & Professional Women's Association. She was a member of the American Nurses Association, Mississippi State Nurses Association District 13 and the National League for Nursing.
Photo provided by The University of Mississippi Medical Center
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