Gladys M. Word, 83, nursing professor

Gladys M. Word, 83, of Willingboro, a longtime nursing professor known for her energetic personality and dedication to students, died of lung cancer Thursday, April 8, at home.

A high school dropout, Dr. Word quickly realized that her lack of a diploma and college degree was limiting her early health-care career.

Dr. Word started working as a nurse's aide in 1953 and, while juggling her ascending career and a family, obtained several nursing degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. When teaching began to appeal to her, she earned a master's degree and doctorate in education from Rutgers University.

"The course she took was very unorthodox," said her daughter, Bonnie. "Married women didn't go to college at that time."

The Philadelphia native dropped out of Philadelphia High School for Girls in 11th grade in 1943 to marry William White and became a homemaker. He died a few years later.

In 1950, Dr. Word went to work as a nurse's aide at a local hospital and found she loved health care, her daughter said.

She went on to become a practical nurse, working at Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia from 1953 to 1958. In 1956, she married Marvin Word Jr., whom she met through a mutual friend.

In 1960, she became a registered nurse and worked at Graduate Hospital for about a year before going into public health.

For about five years, Dr. Word worked out of Philadelphia's public-health centers and often did home visits. Some of her specialties were maternal child health and morbidity.

In 1966, she went to work as a nursing instructor at the Albert Einstein School of Nursing in Philadelphia. In 1969, she and her husband moved to Willingboro.

In 1971, Dr. Word went to teach at Trenton State College, now the College of New Jersey. From the moment she got there, she was an inspiration to all, said former student Lovenna Haumann, now an assistant professor of nursing at the college.

"She was very energetic, very knowledgeable," Haumann said. "She was a very strong advocate for students."

Dr. Word chaired the student affairs division at the college for many years and sometimes could be found in her office at 10 p.m., Haumann said.

The college's Student Nurses Association was a direct result of Dr. Word's efforts to engage students.

Throughout the years and even after her death, Dr. Word was sent letters and e-mails from former students updating her on their careers and accomplishments, her daughter said.

"She gave them such encouragement . . . and always brought out the best in them," Bonnie Word said.

Dr. Word's most-quoted saying was: "Anything is possible."

Almost every graduating class left a gift for Dr. Word. The nursing class of 1985 made a collage of their portraits and wrote: "Dr. Word, of course it's possible."

At age 80, Dr. Word was still giving college lectures and walking students through clinicals. She retired as a professor in 2008 following complications from a stroke she suffered in 2006.

After retirement, she continued to be active in her church, Corpus Christi in Willingboro, where she served as a catechist for second graders for almost 30 years and most recently as a lector for seven years.

In addition to her daughter, Dr. Word is survived by her son, Reginald F. White, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Her husband, Marvin, died in 2004.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, April 14, at Corpus Christi Church, Willingboro. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Cinnaminson.