Sarah Hall Gueldner

Dr. Sarah Hall Gueldner, 75, passed away at her Isle of Palms, South Carolina home October 4, 2016, surrounded by her family. Sarah was a native of Corryton, Tennessee and a graduate of Gibbs High School. Following graduation from the University of Tennessee College of Nursing in Memphis, she went on to a life time career as a nursing scholar. She obtained her masters degree in nursing from Emory University in Atlanta and later completed her Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, focusing much of her work on the gerontological issues of aging and well-being. Her career culminated with academic appointments as Dean of the Decker School of Nursing, State University of New York at Binghamton and, prior to that, as Director of the School of Nursing at Pennsylvania State University. She was later named the Arline H. and Curtis F. Garvin Professor of Nursing at Case Western Reserve School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio. During her tenure at Case Western, she traveled twice to Africa as a visiting professor, first to The University of Botswana, and later to The University of Buea at Cameroon. Earlier in her career, she enjoyed appointments as Professor and Director of Doctoral Studies at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing at Charleston as well as positions at Medical College of Georgia, The University of Georgia, Mississippi University for Women School of Nursing, and The University of Tennessee at Memphis. Over the course of her career, Sarah was a prolific writer, publishing many articles in professional journals, and authoring and co-authoring several books. She collaborated with nursing scholars all over the world, conducting research and advancing nursing education. Sarah is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, served as President and Founding Member of the Society for Rogerian Scholars, and served as First Vice-President, Sigma Theta Tau International. Perhaps Sarah's favorite among her accomplishments was the success of the students she taught. She served on dozens of masters thesis and doctoral dissertation committees, chairing many. She enjoyed guiding and mentoring students through the graduate studies process. Many of her students remained life-long friends and associates. With a warm and inviting personality, Sarah never met a stranger, making friends with virtually everyone she met. Her joyful, whimsical, and larger-than-life energy lit up any room she entered. Sarah defined her life by helping others, both personally and professionally, whether that meant advocating for them, giving them a place to stay, or gifting them a phone call, a card, a seashell, or even a car. Dr. Gueldner was pre-deceased by her parents, Lillian Hill Hall and Joseph Charlton Hall, and brother Joseph Briscoe Hall. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Dr. Richard Charles Gueldner, Charlotte, North Carolina; by her daughter Cheryl Gueldner Asbury and son-in-law Dr. Stephen Todd Asbury, Pasadena, California; son Neil Richard Gueldner and daughter-in-law Karen Bennett Gueldner, Charlotte, North Carolina; sister Dale Hall, Knoxville, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 15th, at Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City Chapel, 2829 Rennoc Road, Knoxville, TN 37918. The Rev. Scobie Branson will lead the celebration of life at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Immediately following the service, family and friends will proceed to Lynnhurst Cemetery for interment. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing (http://www.nursingsociety.org/why-stti/stti-foundation-for-nursing/make-a-gift) and The Martha E. Rogers Scholars Fund, Attn: Tina Reinckens, Treasurer, 7060 Bay Woods Lake Court #101, Fort Myers, Florida, 33908.