Louise Werner Nalesnik
March 16, 1932 ~ November 12, 2014
Resided in:
Skyland, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Louise Werner Nalesnik, RN, 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 12 at her home in Skyland, NC. Family was the center of her life. "Weez" is survived by Nancy Nalesnik and Bonnie Johnston of Asheville, Julie Nalesnik of Cornelius, NC, Greg and David Nalesnik of Atlanta, GA and Robert Nalesnik of Saratoga, CA as well as eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her husband of 33 years, George Nalesnik, preceded her in death in 1988.
Louise was born in Goshen, NY to Pieter and Johanna Hagen Werner on March 16, 1932. She attended Goshen High School with her sisters Nell, Bette and Joanne, graduating in 1949.
Louise was the definition of a nurse – literally. While in nursing school at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, where she graduated in 1952, an iconic photo of her as a caring nurse with baby was taken. It was widely used on billboards, subways and buses in New York during the 1950s to promote Lenox Hill and nursing careers. The striking photo even found its way into an encyclopedia to illustrate the essence of what it means to be a nurse. She had a long and fulfilling nursing career, with a fondness for caring for children.
George and Louise moved to Asheville in 1964. While she cheerfully focused on raising six children, George was general manager at the aerospace component firm Kearfott in Black Mountain, NC. A favorite pastime was singing duets to classic country tunes accompanied by George's guitar.
In Asheville as the children grew, she resumed her career at Memorial Mission Hospital in addition to volunteering with Mountain Area Hospice. Louise was an avid gardener, and donated her time to create lovely gardens at Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry and Valley Springs School. She also loved to take long "walks", which often left her walking partners panting and struggling to keep up.
The family is accepting visitors from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, Sunday, November 16, 2014 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road in Arden.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to WNC Rescue Mission or Eblen Charities.
Nalesnik Family, we are so sorry for your loss…thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
~Polly N. Kiser, Ann K. Fagan
Bonnie, Julie, Robert, David, Nancy and Greg, I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember your mom as a kind, gentle and loving person. There are no words to express my deep sorrow. We love you all. .
I am so sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful lady.
I am very sorry for the loss of your dear Mother. We are praying for you.
Our sincere condolences to the entire Nalesnik family. We are so sorry for the loss of your precious mother. And thank you for sharing this beautiful photograph. Laura and Greg, you are in our thoughts an in our prayers
To all of the immediate and extended family..I am truly sorry for your loss. I am praying that GOD sends his Comforter to each and all. I am so sorry for your loss and to everyone who knew and loved her. I pray that Peace be with each of you.
My love and condolences to you all, as you find your place of peace.
Weez was at the helm of the mark that the entire Nalesnik family made on my life. Each of you are a blessing and a gracious illumination of both George and Louise’s love for each other and for each of you. Louise nurtured and even expected individuality in her children. That very constitution is the lesson and the gift that you each will carry with you and pass on to every life you touch. Her heart is in you all.
Weez was a second mother to me for many years. The Nalesnik House was the true meaning of family. I’m so grateful to have known her, she made many girls fantastic women. She will be missed.
Weez words can not express the way I feel about you and your family . You were my second mother . We laughed talked and loved . I will miss you forever , You made such a difference in my life I can never re pay you for that. I just want to say thank you and the Nalesnick family for letting me have this time to meet and care for you . Love you all. God Bless
Prayers and thoughts for the entire family. There was never a trip back to Briarcliff that we did not encounter Louise out on the yard working snd eager to welcome us back to the neighborhood. She was a great friend to my mother Dawn for 37 years and she was a great help to her and Bob over the years. Thinking of all of you.
Michelle Constantine, Dawn Henderson, Paul Constantine
From the Class of 1949 – Goshen Central School
All of us, including myself, wish to expres our sincere sadness at hearing of Louise’s death. As Fortyniners we considered ourselves ‘family’ and so having yet another of our members pass on saddens us all.
There is one consolation: heaven is certainly fortunate to have her there.
Our sincere condolences,
Calvin Hooker (for the Class of ’49)