Gae Marie Fuller

Gae Marie Fuller, 85, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2025 in Portland, OR, after a courageous battle with long-term illnesses. Born on July 7, 1939 in Edinboro, PA to R.A. Fuller and Marie Flynn Fuller, Gae spent her early years in Edinboro, where she graduated from Edinboro High School in 1957.

Gae pursued her passion for nursing at Hamot Hospital School of Nursing in Erie, PA, graduating in August 1960. From a young age, she knew she wanted to be a nurse, driven by her love for people and her desire to help others. Her career as a staff nurse took her to various esteemed institutions, including Hamot Hospital in Erie, PA, Huron Road Hospital in Cleveland, OH, Edinboro Medical Center in Edinboro, PA, Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY, and local general practitioners' offices.

In 1971, Gae completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at the State University of New York in Buffalo. It was during this time she was recruited to the Navy by a fellow nursing student. Reporting to Naval Women Officers School in Newport, RI, in October 1971, she soon joined Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, VA, as a Lieutenant Junior Grade, serving as a staff nurse. Her dedication led to her promotion to Lieutenant, where she excelled as an Instructor and Director for the "Operating Room Technique" course, graduating 150 well-trained Operating Room Technicians by 1976.

In 1977, Lieutenant Fuller was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and transferred to Naval Aerospace Medical Center in Pensacola, FL. Her overseas tour took her to U.S. Naval Hospital, Subic Bay, Philippines, where she applied for Duty Under Instruction and earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration from the University of Texas at Austin in May 1982. Lieutenant Commander Fuller was also part of the first Rapid Deployment Medical Force, training with the Army in a M.A.S.H. unit at Fort Sill, OK. Promoted to Commander in 1983, Gae continued to demonstrate her leadership and expertise.

For the next decade, Commander Fuller served as Department Head for the operating room at prestigious institutions, including Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA, Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD, and Naval Hospital in Charleston, SC. She contributed to the Inspection and Survey Team for the USNS Comfort and earned the rank of Captain in 1989.

Returning to Naval Medical Center, San Diego, in 1992, Captain Fuller served as Assistant Director of Perioperative Nursing and later as Interim Director for Nursing Services, where she played a key role in reorganizing Nursing Services. After 24 years of distinguished service, Captain Fuller retired in May 1995, honored with numerous military decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Humanitarian Service Medal.

In retirement, Gae returned to Edinboro, where she built a home on her family’s property and became an integral part of the community. She volunteered as a poll worker, served on various community associations, sang in the Edinboro United Methodist Church Choir, and established scholarships in honor of her father and herself.

Beyond her service and volunteerism, Gae was an avid world traveler, exploring destinations such as the Great Wall of China, Europe, and Southeast Asia. She cherished her family and maintained close friendships worldwide.

Gae is survived by her siblings, Joy Fuller Estock and Jerry (Carol) Fuller; nieces Beth Ann Estock (Jeff Petrillo), Marie Estock (Dj Merrill), Carrie (Jim) Asprinio, and Lindsay Caldwell; grand nieces and nephews Brian (Brittany), Scott (Jamie), Matthew (Megan), Christopher, and Andrew Estock, Hannah and Sarah Petrillo, Braylen, Kyler, and Milan Asprinio, Callaghan and Grimm Caldwell; eight great grand nieces and nephews; and many beloved cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and her nephew, Mark Estock.

The Glunt Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Edinboro, is entrusted with funeral arrangements.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Edinboro United Methodist Church, 113 High St., Edinboro, PA. A committal service with full military honors will follow at Edinboro Cemetery. To ensure her legacy of compassion and dedication to nursing, donations can be made to the Gae M. Fuller Nursing Education Scholarship Fund at General McLane High School, 11771 Edinboro Rd., Edinboro, PA 16412. To send condolences, please visit www.gluntfuneralhome.com.