Dolores Cornelius

I had the pleasure of working with Capt. Cornelius as the Director of Nursing at both Naval Regional Medical Center San Diego and Naval Hospital Yokosuka Japan in the late 1970s.
As a new Navy Nurse Corps Officer I looked up to her as a model of what my career could be. She was poised and professional and had exacting standards that were required to be met - no excuses. I learned a lot that helped me throughout my Navy career.

Julie

My husband, Bill, and I had the distinct pleasure of knowing Dolores and enjoyed her visits while traveling from California to Michigan, her home town.

Dolores was a devout Catholic, a true Christian, an animal lover, a talented and accomplished person who embraced life and her friends. She died as graciously as she lived and she left a great legacy. I am honored to have know such a "lady."

May her soul rest in peace.

Sincerely,
Johanna...

In Memory of Captain Dolores Cornelius

Dolores Cornelius at last has sailed out of this world
Her shroud is put on and her topsails are furl'd;
She lies snug in death's boat without any concern
And is moor'd for a full due ahead and astern.
Or'r the compass of life she has merrily run,
Her voyage is completed her reckoning is done.

Written by Donald Budge (FRANCE)

I met Dolores nearly 20 years ago while living in La Jolla. I moved to Iowa 11years ago and Dolores visited my husband and I on our farm during her frequent cross country trips. We delighted in her tales of travel and adventure. She was a willing student of the rural life and a wonderful houseguest. We will miss her visits along with her 2 poodle traveling companions.

Captain Cornelius was a fine Naval officer, an excellent nurse, and a good friend. I was privileged to serve with her aboard USS Repose in 1968.

I first met then Commander Cornelius as a patient aboard the USS Repose in May 1968. We became life long friends and even toured several South American countries in 1999 together. She was a bright, well-read, well-travelled, articulate and gracious lady in every sense of the word. It was my honor to have known her all these years. She will be greatly missed.

Dolores' many accomplishments and service to the Navy Nurse Corps will always be remembered.

President, Navy Nurse Corps Association of Southern California