Barbara Thoman Curtis

1938 - 2015

Barbara Thoman Curtis, 77, (formerly of Independence) passed away October 18, 2015, at her home in Ormond Beach, FL, surrounded by her children and extended family.

Barbara was born October 17, 1938, in Chicago to John Thoman and Sue (Tasula) Thoman, was raised in Independence, and later lived in a variety of places including Spokane, WA; Wheaton, IL; and Bethesda, MD.

Barbara graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1956 and attended Graceland College, earning her RN at the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital School of Nursing. In addition to being a clinical nurse, Barbara was a nationally-recognized leader in nursing. Her tireless efforts as an advocate for nursing eventually led her to leadership roles in the American Nurses Association (ANA). While on the ANA board, she founded N-CAP, which later became the ANA PAC, a bi-partisan political action committee dedicated to improving the US health care system.

In 1991, the ANA established the Barbara Thoman Curtis Award to honor a nurse who has made significant contributions to nursing practice and health policy through legislative activity and Barbara was the first recipient. In 2014, Barbara was inducted into the ANA Hall of Fame.

Barbara was a lifelong and active member of the Community of Christ church and, for the last few years served as co-pastor of the small congregation in Ormond Beach, FL.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law, George Fisher.

She is survived by her children and their partners, respectively: Douglas and Michaeline Curtis of Scarsdale, NY; Cheryl Curtis Fair and Chris Fair of Daytona Beach, FL; and Mirella Curtis Meyers and Dennis Meyers of Palm Coast, FL; and by her beloved grandchildren Catherine, Elizabeth and William Curtis of Scarsdale NY; Cassie Reyes of Port Orange, FL; and Brandon Fair, stationed in Fort Benning, GA; and her great grandchildren Austin and Madelyn Reyes. Barbara will also be dearly missed by her siblings Mark Thoman of Port Orchard, WA; and Lea Thoman Acord and Nikki Thoman Fisher, both of Racine, WI and by her special niece Kristen Acord Lalowski of Chicago, IL.

A private memorial service is being planned for early December in Chicago.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Barbara Thoman Curtis Scholarship at HealthEd Connect, 1401 West Truman Road, Independence, MO 64050.

Online donations: www.HealthEdConnect.org, gift purpose, Barbara Thoman Curtis scholarship.