Virginia Ruth Nilsson

Virginia (Jinni) Ruth Nilsson, 82 passed away peacefully with her family at her side on October 22, 2011 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She was a nurse, a mother and a friend to all. She loved her family and friends and spent her life giving to others. Jinni was born in Ottokee (Fulton County), Ohio. She graduated from Wauseon High School and from The Toledo Hospital School of Nursing. She worked in the nursing profession for over 42 years, from staff nurse working at the Toledo Mental Health Center in 1949, private duty nurse in the 1950s and then to Maumee Valley as a head nurse in the 1960s. She was promoted to Associate Director of Nursing Services in 1969 and worked for the Medical College of Ohio for a total of 24 years. She was responsible for overseeing the activities of approximately 400 full and part time nurses. She witnessed a transformation in nursing, from salaries paid, benefits received and workplace conditions for nurses and the way care was administered. She saw the profession gain stature and require increased education due to the complexity of patient care and the introduction of technology that was far different from that used when she began her career. To that end, she helped establish the nursing assistant program that allowed University of Toledo and Bowling Green students to gain experience working within the hospital setting. She worked for two outstanding Nursing Directors at MCO, Virginia Tawney who mentored her as head nurse and Pat Harmon who used the latest innovative techniques in nursing. After retirement she enjoyed quilting, gardening, cooking and being with her family. She also enjoyed playing Bridge with the same group of friends for many years Bernie Meyers, Dale and Jerry Reed and Marge Locke among others. She is survived by her children Craig William (Susan Muenzer) Nilsson of Waterville, OH. Jean Marie (Larry) Noethlich of Geneva, IL and Eric Jon (Tara) Nilsson of Lawrenceville, GA. She leaves 5 grandchildren Laura Nilsson (Josh Riebe), Emily Nilsson (Anthony Amstutz), Jeffery Noethlich, Zachary Nilsson and Bradley Nilsson. Also surviving is her sister, Carol (Alex) Olson of Moosomin, SK Canada. A remembrance is planned for Sunday October 30, 2011 from 1:00 to 3:00 at Oak Openings Metro Park Lodge, 5230 Wilkins Road, Whitehouse, OhioMemorial donations can be made to the charity of your choice or to The Metroparks of the Toledo Area, 5100 W. Central Avenue, Toledo, OH 43615Online condolences can be shared below: