Russ Gillen’s wife, Judith, was his high school sweetheart and the love of his life for 53 years. Having passed from this life in August, she was known for her caring nature and dedication as a nurse.
Members of the Nurse Honor Guard, organized through Carle Health Volunteer Services, received notice of the visitation, and seven nurses attended to pay tribute. Wearing white coats and ceremonial sashes, they performed a moving, 15-minute ceremony honoring the nurse’s service before quietly departing.
“I thought it was fantastic. It really got to me when they turned to her and said they released her of her duties,” Russ Gillen said. “It really did give me a little closure.”
More nurses are needed to keep this unique service going. Nurses need not be Carle Health team members and retirees are welcome as well. To sign up, contact nursehonorguard@carle.com, to be placed on a call list.
What happens during the tribute
Mary Mayfield, RN, retired, helps organize Nurse Honor Guard tributes in the Danville area and she said the
honors may be done by a group of volunteer nurses at the beginning of a funeral service, at the graveside or at a celebration of life service. While the tribute is dignified and solemn, there is room for stories previously shared by colleagues or family members that often bring smiles and tears to those attending. Each tribute includes lighting a Nightingale candle lamp, modeled after the oil lamp used by pioneering nurse Florence Nightingale.
“We open by thanking the family for opportunity to honor their loved one. I like to begin with reading a short, printed nurse’s prayer (if appropriate for the family’s values). Other options are the Nightingale Pledge or a poem about nurses. At this point I like to invite any nurses or medical staff present to stand with the Nurse Honor Guard in honor of their colleague,” Mayfield said.
A brief synopsis of the deceased nurse’s career and personal stories are shared. Afterward, a volunteer reads aloud, “She was There” - a poem with 10 one-line statements describing the world of nursing. The tribute concludes with the presentation of a white rose (representing honor, appreciation and respect) to either the family or laid on the casket or next to the cremation urn, Mayfield said. Historically the ringing of a bell signaled a nurse was needed and Nurse Honor Guard volunteers honor that tradition by calling out the name of the deceased three times, each time preceded by the ringing a bell, triangle or Tibetin bowl. With no response, the volunteers release the deceased from her earthly nursing duties and extinguish the Nightingale lamp, Mayfield said.
Pride for the nursing profession
Providing some historical perspective, Faith Roberts, who retired as executive director of Magnet, Professional Practice, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, said the Nurse Honor Guard concept came from nurses in 2017 after a team member died. Retired nurses at the time were asked to come together for the honor and they did not hesitate.
“It’s a reminder of who we are and the profession we represent. It’s a bonding moment,” Roberts said.
Johnalene Radek, MSN, RN, director, Operations and Clinical Support Services at Carle Foundation Hospital, participated on occasion as volunteer and as a family member when her father, Mike Mann, died six months short of 30 years as a nurse in July 2025.
During the honors, nurses in attendance stand with pride and they want to know more about the history and tradition of the ceremony once they witness it, Radek said. “There is a sense of pride. To honor someone in that way is really touching.”
Members of the Nurse Honor Guard, organized through Carle Health Volunteer Services, received notice of the visitation, and seven nurses attended to pay tribute. Wearing white coats and ceremonial sashes, they performed a moving, 15-minute ceremony honoring the nurse’s service before quietly departing.
“I thought it was fantastic. It really got to me when they turned to her and said they released her of her duties,” Russ Gillen said. “It really did give me a little closure.”
More nurses are needed to keep this unique service going. Nurses need not be Carle Health team members and retirees are welcome as well. To sign up, contact nursehonorguard@carle.com, to be placed on a call list.
What happens during the tribute
Mary Mayfield, RN, retired, helps organize Nurse Honor Guard tributes in the Danville area and she said the
honors may be done by a group of volunteer nurses at the beginning of a funeral service, at the graveside or at a celebration of life service. While the tribute is dignified and solemn, there is room for stories previously shared by colleagues or family members that often bring smiles and tears to those attending. Each tribute includes lighting a Nightingale candle lamp, modeled after the oil lamp used by pioneering nurse Florence Nightingale.“We open by thanking the family for opportunity to honor their loved one. I like to begin with reading a short, printed nurse’s prayer (if appropriate for the family’s values). Other options are the Nightingale Pledge or a poem about nurses. At this point I like to invite any nurses or medical staff present to stand with the Nurse Honor Guard in honor of their colleague,” Mayfield said.
A brief synopsis of the deceased nurse’s career and personal stories are shared. Afterward, a volunteer reads aloud, “She was There” - a poem with 10 one-line statements describing the world of nursing. The tribute concludes with the presentation of a white rose (representing honor, appreciation and respect) to either the family or laid on the casket or next to the cremation urn, Mayfield said. Historically the ringing of a bell signaled a nurse was needed and Nurse Honor Guard volunteers honor that tradition by calling out the name of the deceased three times, each time preceded by the ringing a bell, triangle or Tibetin bowl. With no response, the volunteers release the deceased from her earthly nursing duties and extinguish the Nightingale lamp, Mayfield said.
Pride for the nursing profession
Providing some historical perspective, Faith Roberts, who retired as executive director of Magnet, Professional Practice, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, said the Nurse Honor Guard concept came from nurses in 2017 after a team member died. Retired nurses at the time were asked to come together for the honor and they did not hesitate.
“It’s a reminder of who we are and the profession we represent. It’s a bonding moment,” Roberts said.
Johnalene Radek, MSN, RN, director, Operations and Clinical Support Services at Carle Foundation Hospital, participated on occasion as volunteer and as a family member when her father, Mike Mann, died six months short of 30 years as a nurse in July 2025.
During the honors, nurses in attendance stand with pride and they want to know more about the history and tradition of the ceremony once they witness it, Radek said. “There is a sense of pride. To honor someone in that way is really touching.”
Categories: Culture of Quality, Community
Tags: Bloomington-Normal, Carle Foundation Hospital, Champaign-Urbana, honor guard, , nurses, Olney, Pekin, Peoria, Proctor