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Mary Nielubowicz Obituary
Born in Shenandoah, Feb. 5, 1929, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Ursula Nielubowicz.
She graduated from Shenandoah Catholic High School and received her nursing diploma from Misericordia Hospital. She received her bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Colorado, and her master's degree in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania.
Her tours of duty included Portsmouth, Va., Corona, Calif., Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Annapolis, Md., Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Iwakuni, Japan, Cherry Point, N.C., Guam and Long Beach, Calif.
In 1983, she was promoted to flag rank and served as the director, Navy Nurse Corps and Deputy Commander for Health Care Operations. Admiral Nielubowicz was the sixth woman to be selected for flag rank and the 15th director of the Navy Nurse Corps.
Rear Admiral Nielubowicz retired from active service in September 1987. In her retirement speech she stated, "What a country we live in, where else could a coal miner's daughter excel to such heights."
Admiral Nielubowicz was authorized to wear the following military decorations: Legion of Merit with gold star, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal with bronze star and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
Surviving are sisters, Helene Kasparian, Downingtown, and Ursula Oleksy, Micco, Fla.
Interment will be May 21 in Arlington National Cemetery. Everly Funeral Home, Fairfax, is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Nielubowicz
Ricki Jon Monson LCDR USN (Ret)
May 3, 2008
RADM "Neil" had her congratulatory "wetting down" party at the Officer's Club at the Naval Hospital, Portsmouth VA when I was a young LTJG. I recall her comparing her career to others equally qualified for flag rank. If I recall the story correctly she indicated that her entrance into the Nurse Corps was delayed because of dental work that needed to be completed before she could report to active duty. She jokingly said that her promotion "window of opportunity" that made her a candidate for the Director Of the Nurse Corps was based on her having poor dentition. Her nursing career spanned many years but her legacy will live on in those lives she has touched and the lives those individuals have influenced also.
I hope to visit her final resting place at Arlington, hopefully among the special area set aside for nurses that have served in the Army and Navy.
Captain Carlos Torres NC, RET
April 28, 2008
RADM Niel was a great lady and terrific senior officer. She was always warm and welcoming even under the pressures of her jobs at BUMED. Rank never changed this warm and caring person.
Kris Monger
April 28, 2008
Admiral 'Neil was a dynamic leader, role model and friend. I was honored to have her speak at my retirement. A vivid memory was seeing her partake in all the activities on the Nurse Corps cruise to Alaska.
Terresa Booher
April 27, 2008
Admiral "Niel" was my first DNS as a junior nurse. She always had time for advice or a kind word. That never changed every time I met her through my career. She has left a lasting influence on innumberable nurses and military officers.
JoAnn Kelly
April 25, 2008
Truly a human angel in the Navy Nurse Corps. Many Thanks
Dorothy A. Ryan
April 25, 2008
In my life Adm. Niel was the beacon for seeking paths to an enriched Nurse Corps Reserve Career. Her welcoming and encouranging manner created the path on which I proudly served. Thank you.
CDR John Eschenbaum (Ret)
April 25, 2008
I was active duty from 68-70 remaining in the Navy Reserves until 96. I did not know the Admiral personally but am aware of many who admired her. She was a pathfinder for the Navy Nurse Corps. My condolences to her family and those who loved her.
Kay Bauer
April 24, 2008
Adm. Neil was such a wonderful person. She was so caring for all of us. Those of us who were Reservists were especially blessed to have her as one of our most staunch proponents. I will miss her welcoming smile as well as the opportunity to give her a big hug and receive a bigger one back from her. Our loss is heaven's gain.
Suzanne Randall
April 24, 2008
Admiral Niel was one of my favorite chief nurses. She was always so friendly and gave special guidance to her junior officers. We all loved her at Portsmouth and were oh so proud when she was selected for Admiral. She will trully be missed at all of the upcoming Nurse Corps functions but I am sure she will be there in spirit.
Patricia Clancy
April 24, 2008
Mary Niel was my Chief Nurse in Iwakuni, Japan in 1967-1968. She was a newly promoted CDR and I was a Lt. I remember the good times we had and the many laughs that we shared.
I remember fondly a weekend trip we took to one of the small towns, where no English was spoken, On Sunday it snowed and we were attempting to find our way home by hanging out the car window and comparing the street sign written in Kanji to our postcard also in Kanji.
Mary, Fair Winds and Following Seas. May He Forever Hold You In The Palm of His Hand
Terry Brown
April 22, 2008
I knew many people in my naval career but few had the profound impact on me as a person and Navy nurse that Mary "Niel" did. She was my Director of Nursing in my first supervisory position beyond the nursing wards. I was her night supervisor at Portsmouth when she was selected for Director of the Nurse Corps. She put her plans to retire on hold to accept this challenge. How smart of the Navy to recognize the gifts Adm "Niel" had to offer not only the Nurse Corps but the entire Navy. There were none like her! She was smart, professional, level-headed, and certainly intuitive in her leadership of the Nurse Corps. She had a marvelous sense of humor that flavored everything she did. I will truly miss her and know I am not alone. Terry Brown, NC, Ret
Jan Garrity
April 22, 2008
GOD Bless Adm Niel..................She truly inspired all who knew her,,,,,,,,,,,The Navy Nurse Corps will always remember her with great love...........
Shirley Lewis-Brown
April 21, 2008
Admiral Mary Niel was a phenomenal leader, mentor and inspiration. She loved the Navy and her Nurses. Her loss is staggering and so deeply profound.
Jean Miller
April 20, 2008
I met Mary first when I was in the Bureau. She was a joy to know.. I was fortunate to have her visit me in Las Vegas when on her way to visit China Lake for a retirement ceremony. She became quite ill with a GI upset and I am the one who gave her "dog medicine" to calm her tummy and allow her to finish her trip. Mary, I know you have us all in your in your vision now and are laughing as we go about our way down here. You are missed, dear friend. Jean Miller, Las Vegas, NV
Michael Moran
April 19, 2008
I first worked with RADM Niel at Portmouth Naval Hospital where she was the Director of Nursing Services. She was an incredible leader and called forth many Medical Department personnel to be all they could be. Even in retirement, and up until when she moved on to eternal life, Mary continued to love, support and acknowledge those whose path ran parallel with hers. She was a "finished product" and even though she has moved on she will remain with us via those she loved and helped to shape into the people they are today.
CAPT Michael Moran, NC, USN(Ret), London, England
Sandra Lindelof
April 19, 2008
Admiral 'Niel', as she was fondly referred to by many Navy nurses, was my chief nurse twice and was always a dedicated leader. She combined compassion for patients with encouragement to her staff to excel in their chosen careers. It was a privilege to know her.
Karl Fortenbacher
April 18, 2008
I thank God for having a wonderful Aunt like Mary, she was always fun to be around with, I will always remember her laughter, her smile, and her encouragement and understanding. She was very special and I will miss her dearly
Mary Sushinski
April 12, 2008
Admiral Aunt Mary (AKA Aunt Mimi) was truly an inspirational woman who was never afraid of a challenge, even if it was a ride on a roller coaster with her nieces and nephews. There are so many great memories with Aunt Mimi and so many wonderful attributes to her character. She was extremely dedicated and gracious to her family. We are happy that we had the opportunity to stop by for a visit in December. She was in great spirits which is how we all remember her. We all miss her dearly. Love ya, Aunt Mimi!
Hugs and kisses,
Larry and Mary Sushinski
Glendale, CA
Chester & Sandi Nielubowicz
April 12, 2008
We were saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. Like a ship in the night she is watching over us now. I remember the times we visited Shenandoah and then she came to Savannah Georgia to visit our dad, her cousin, Chester and family. I was young sailor scheduled to meet Admiral Nielubowicz twice while I was stationed aboard the USS Chicago and we were going to be in port at Yokosuka Japan, but she had to cancel. She was an incredible woman and she will be missed. We salute you and wish you smooth sailing in the next life. Our prayers & condolences go out to Helene & the family. God Bless us all
Don Vitale
April 12, 2008
Admiral aunt Mary was my late wife's sister. Mary was loved by all for devotion to our family. My grandchildren will especially miss her visits. God speed and may you encounter calm seas.
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