Condell Nurses Honor 58-Year Career Of Janet Hyder

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — The Northeastern Illinois Nurse Honor Guard, a group founded by Advocate Condell Medical Center nurse Elizabeth Ramirez, held its inaugural Nightingale Tribute at the celebration of life for Janet Hyder on Saturday.

Wearing white scrubs, hats and capes with a red lining, which is meant to mirror the historical uniform nurses used to wear during wartime, six members of the Northeastern Illinois Nurse Honor Guard were on hand to celebrate Hyder’s 58-year career and contributions to her community over her lifetime, according to a news release.

“We’ve all been called to serve others and we as nurses support each other,” Ramirez said. “At the time of their death, we want to thank them for being our colleague, to express gratitude to have worked beside them and to honor them, their communities and their families.”

Hyder earned her nursing license in 1957 and retired in 2015. She died on July 26 at the age of 83 years old.

Her family remembers her as someone who wanted to give back to people and provide them with care and kindness.

“When we were looking for photos of (Hyder), we found her nursing photo and the funeral home called me to tell us about an organization that wants to honor nurses,” said Pam Lagerhausen, who helped organize the celebration of life and is the fiancé of Hyder’s son. “I knew she would love that.”

Hyder’s celebration of life was held at Angelo’s Pizza in Harvard, Ill., where members of the Northeastern Illinois Nurse Honor Guard performed the Nightingale Tribute. Beginning with a processional, a member of the honor guard held a lit Florence Nightingale Lamp.

A poem called “She Was There” was read and a white rose was laid next to Hyder’s photo before a bell was rung three times to signal the end of Hyder’s nursing duties. At the end of the tribute, the Florence Nightingale Lamp was gifted to the family, according to the news release.

“I’m very grateful that they took the time to come out, drop their own stuff and help us get through a tough time,” Lagerhausen said. “It was just really touching. You feel that someone cares enough to recognize what people have done.”

For the nurses giving the tribute, it was equally as moving.

“It brought some of us to tears at the end,” Ramirez said. “I’m so proud of all of them and I’m glad it’s something we can bring to people.”