Frances June Storlie

FRANCES J. STORLIE August 23, 1925 ~ June 11, 2015 Frances J. Storlie passed away in her sleep on 6/11/2015 at the age of 89. Born in Lodi, CA, she spent her childhood as a migrant until her family settled in Clark Co. in 1937. In 1946, she married Alton (Bill) Storlie, and together they raised Suzanne (Koch) Storlie and Timothy Storlie. She leaves behind her older brother Bill, her younger sister Lorraine, her two children, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great, grandchildren (far too many to list). Frances was a poetic wordsmith, scholar, author, teacher, and human rights activist. She was a sensitive, brilliant, and compassionate soul. Generous to a fault, she was a Christian, prayer warrior, and Democrat who championed equality, mercy, and social justice. Complex and powerful, Frances was a woman who kept her word-a woman of integrity who lived by a high moral standard. Devoted to doing what was right, she had a passion for helping people in need. A fierce advocate for women and children, the poor and the neglected, she extolled the virtues of fairness, honesty, responsibility, sharing with those in need, education, and hard-work. A graduate of Clark College's first nursing class in 1962, "Frankie" then earned a BSN from the U of O, a Master's Degree in Nursing Ed. from OHSU in 1967, and a PhD in Urban Studies from PSU in 1976. A prolific writer, Dr. Storlie wrote a book of poems, 4 nursing text books (including the award-winning Nursing and the Social Conscience), and 124 professional journal articles. In 1973, Frances was selected as a Charter Member of the American Academy of Nursing, representing Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. She also served as the nurse editor for the Heart and Lung Journal during its inaugural year of 1976. Dr. Storlie served as faculty for the graduate schools of Arizona State Univ. and the Univ. of Nevada, helped organize adult nurse practitioner programs, and taught 75 courses in electrocardiography. In 1978, she received an award from the American Assoc. of Critical Care Nurses. That same year, the Clark College Alumni Association honored her with the Outstanding Alumni Award in recognition of her exceptional service to Clark College, exemplary service to the community, and personal and professional achievements. She became one of the first licensed/accredited Nurse Practitioners in Oregon (1981) and spent the last years of practice as a clinical director and nurse practitioner in Vancouver, WA. In 1986, after learning fluent Spanish, Frances embarked on over 40 medical missions to Mexico, Central and S. America including the So. Pole! She also spent several weeks on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina volunteering for the American Red Cross, providing first aid for volunteers, and serving food in the soup kitchen. Dr. Storlie "retired" in 1998, but remained an activist for patient rights. In later years, her "pride and joy" was helping to establish a free healthcare clinic in Biloxi, Mississippi-a project she continued to support for the remainder of her life. For Frances, her family, faith, and medical practice were her life. She loved to sing, play harmonica, give gifts, and support her favorite charities-Share House, the Salvation Army, and others. Placing little value on material possessions, she possessed a depth of knowledge and compassion rarely equaled. A mother who loved her children every day of their lives, who sang to them when they were sick, she taught them to strive to live an authentic, ethical life of purpose, meaning, and service. It's such a clich, but the world really is a better place because she was here. In her final years, Frances often grieved over "the mechanization of medicine" and the subsequent deterioration of personal aspects of caring for the sick. Her spare time was spent with family, friends at the Firstenberg Center, and her beloved four-legged friends. She loved tending her roses, going for walks, enjoyed scenic drives, browsing bookstores, and going out for coffee, ice cream, or a cheeseburger. A private family ceremony will be held at Park Hill Cemetery, Vancouver, WA to honor this extraordinary woman, inspiring role model, nurse, warrior, and mother who - to the end of her days - believed that patient care was an affair of the heart. Please sign her guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Frances June Storlie

August 23, 1925 - June 11, 2015