Obituary of Ethel Mae Nightingale Fournier

Ethel Mae Nightingale Fournier, age 93 of Yankton passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton. Memorial services will be 7:00 PM, Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with Rev. Rick Slattery officiating. Burial of her cremated remains will be in the Yankton Cemetery at a later date. Visitations will begin at 5:00 Pm, Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD Ethel cherished and adored her sons giving 100% of herself to ensure of their health and happiness and devoting her life to her family. She joyfully gave of herself not only to her family, but to her friends as well. She enjoyed many things, always learning; she became a China painter, acrylic artist and was learning Spanish. She was a member of the Austin Women's Club, book clubs and China painting clubs in Texas and South Dakota. Ethel spent most of her life devoted to education. She graduated from Paterson General Hospital School of Nursing in 1942. She was employed at Paterson General from 1942 - 1951. From 1944 - 1951, she held the positions of Head Nurse of Male Surgical Ward, Head Nurse of Men's Medical Ward, Assistant Nursing Arts Instructor, Nursing Arts Instructor, and Assistant Director of Nursing. She attended New York University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1952. She held State registrations in New York, New Jersey and Texas. She also held a Texas teaching certificate. While attending New York University, she met her beloved George R. Fournier, a geology student. Shortly after they were married they moved to Venezuela, where Ethel taught Chemistry, Biology and General Science in an American based school. Living in Venezuela became an adventurous undertaking; being robbed at gunpoint, surviving a revolution, and having been blessed with two sons. In 1964, the Fournier's moved back to the states and settled in Houston, TX where Ethel took a position as a School Nurse at Sharpstown Junior High and continued in her profession until retirement. Ethel is survived by her sons, George R. Fournier, Jr. (Shirley) and Fredrick Walter Fournier (Michele). Ethel is preceded in death by her beloved George R. Fournier, Sr., her mother, Elizabeth Nightingale, her father, Jacob Nightingale, her aunt, Ethel and uncle, Wally.