Summer 2025 | In Memoriam
Honoring beloved Gator Nurses who passed this year — their legacy of care lives on in us.
Carol V. Hayes-Christiansen (MM 1998, BMUS 1993, MEd 1963), 93, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away March 19, 2025. Carol came to Gainesville in June 1957 to be part of the initial faculty of the new College of Nursing at the University of Florida. She had a wonderful career, rising from instructor to associate professor at the time of her retirement in 1987. She earned a master’s in education from the University of Florida in 1963. She co-authored a textbook on cardiovascular nursing. Following her retirement, she earned two additional degrees from the University of Florida.
Sandra Ryan Hollowell Sanzone (BSN 1971), 76, of Venice, Florida, passed away June 6, 2025. Sandy was employed as a registered nurse at Venice Hospital for 35 years.
Heather M. Guyett (BSN 2005), 41, of Ocala, Florida, passed away Feb. 8, 2025. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida, Heather pursued an advanced degree and became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Susan Moody Douglas (BSN 1981), 65, of Trenton, Florida, passed away Feb. 2, 2025. Susan’s professional journey as a registered nurse spanned an impressive 43 years. Susan considered nursing to be her mission field and was committed to the health and well-being of her patients
Lucie K. Jones Riggsbee (BSN 1966), 81, of Columbus, Mississippi, passed away Dec. 20, 2024. Lucie had a lifelong career in nursing, including working at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi and being the director of nursing in Yazoo City, Mississippi. She also worked for agencies such as the North Carolina Public Health System in oncology and the Mississippi Public Health System in health and nutrition. She was also licensed as a nurse in Africa and, upon retirement, spent time in Zambia, Africa working with Prochristo as a missionary nurse.
Marlene Braun Broad (BSN 1962), 84, of Miami, Florida, passed away Dec. 17, 2024. Throughout her career in midwifery, Marlene was dedicated to serving underserved populations and delivered thousands of babies, including during her many years working abroad across dozens of countries.
Carolyn Weaver Vallone (MSN 1971), 92, of Tampa, Florida, passed away Nov. 20, 2024. Carolyn served a director of nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa early in her career, before serving for 20 years in the Air Force Reserve, where she retired as a major and certified flight nurse. She retained her nursing license until she was 88 years old, and in 2017 she was inducted into the Florida Nurses Association’s Hall of Fame.
Suzanne McMullen Alderman (BSN 1969), 78, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away Nov. 18, 2024. Over the course of her nursing career, Sue was employed by several hospitals specializing primarily in cardiac intensive care. She was the author of research articles published in nursing journals.
Shirley MacKenzie Bloodworth (MSN 1966, BSN 1965), 95, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away Oct. 24, 2024. She worked in numerous nursing positions in her early nursing career and eventually advanced to serve as director of the Clinical Research Center at UF Health Shands (1968-1980), as a Hospice Staff nurse/Nurse Liaison Bridges program for Hospice North Central Florida (1993-2004), as the Santa Fe Community College Prime Time Institute director (2005-2009), and most recently as a citizen scientist for the UF College of Medicine CTSI program (2015-2024). She engaged in many volunteer efforts serving on numerous community and health care related boards and through service as a community educator and advocate for Alzheimer caregiving and research, end-of-life issues, advanced directives, Aging Well and Planning Ahead discussions, and community lifelong learning programs. She served as co-chair for the Community Coalition for Older Adults (2013-2023).
Susie Alsobrook Rowe (MSN 1986), 81, of Apex, North Carolina, passed away Oct. 15, 2024. Susie served on the clinical medical faculty in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine, specializing in child abuse detection and prevention. She continued this focus throughout her nursing career in various roles across Florida and New Jersey before relocating to North Carolina in 1996. There, she worked as a clinician and clinic manager at the Center for Child and Family Health in Durham and served as adjunct faculty at the UNC College of Nursing. She retired from nursing in 2003, having dedicated her career to the health and protection of children, including frequent testimony as an expert witness in both criminal and civil courts.
Margaret A. Livermore (MSN 1996), 64, of Viera, Florida, passed away Oct. 9, 2024. Margaret began her career as a labor and delivery nurse, later transitioning to the ICU at Wuesthoff Hospital in Rockledge. As a nurse practitioner, she specialized in neurology and nephrology.
Deborah Metzger Lombard (MSN 1984), 74, of Cocoa, Florida, passed away Aug. 19, 2024.
Glenn H. Williams (BSN 1976), 68, of Spring Hill, Florida, passed away Oct. 28, 2023.
Kathleen “Cathye” Ruppel Kerrins (MSN 1981, BSN 1971), 70, of Seminole, Florida, passed away June 5, 2019. Cathye served as a nurse practitioner for 47 years.
Mary J. Graham (BSN 1968), 94, of Stuart, Florida, passed away Jan. 30, 2017.
Dr. Judy G. Burford (PhD 2000), 69, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away Jan. 14, 2017.
Joanne C. Wallace (MSN 1975), 69, of Daytona Beach, Florida, passed away Apr. 3, 2002.