Dee School of Nursing

Group of Nursing Students

The Dee School of Nursing was founded in 1910 to provide training for nurses who would staff the new Dee Memorial Hospital.  The first class of eight nurses graduated from the school in 1913 and the school continued to operate until completed in 1917 and all nursing students were required to live in the home during their training.

This oral history project was created to capture the memories of the school's alumni before their stories disappear in the same way the Dee Hospital has disappeared.  The oral interviews focus on how the women became involved with the school, their experiences going through training, and how they used the training.

Delpha Greaves Allen describes her recollections and experiences with the Dee School of Nursing, including the cadet nursing corps, the nightly curfew, recycling needles and the capping ceremony. The interview took place on July 22, 2008.

Faye Longhurst Ball, a 1946 graduate from the Dee School of Nursing, recounts her memories of the school, including fellow students, classes, rules, and uniforms. The interview took place on July 17, 2008.

Phyllis Call Ball discusses her nursing career and graduating from the Dee School of Nursing in 1953. The interview took place on June 2, 2008.

Dorothy Mills Bird, a graduate of the class of 1947 from the Dee School of Nursing, discusses her involvement with the cadet nursing corps. The interview took place on July 16, 2008.

Leona Gibb Brown discusses graduating from the Dee School of Nursing in 1955, and working in the health center at Ricks College. The interview took place on March 9, 2009.

Ruth Donaldson Brown talks of her experiences at the Dee School of Nursing. She discusses the shortage of nurses and doctors during World War II, receiving her stripes during the capping ceremony, and her career as a nurse. The interview took place on August 8, 2008.

Bertie Olsen Young Criddle shares details of her nursing career, starting with graduating from the Dee School of Nursing in 1951. She discusses the types of classes taught at the Dee Hospital, including Nursing Arts. The interview took place on October 20, 2008.

Melva C. Crookston discusses her roommates, capping ceremony, and 1952 graduation from the Dee School of Nursing. The interview took place on August 1, 2008.

Helen Horne Farr shares her memories of attending the Dee School of Nursing, and her graduation in 1946. The interview took place on July 17, 2008.

Diane Stowe Gibbs shares her memories of the Dee School of Nursing. She discusses her experiences as a nursing student and receiving permission to continue after she was married. The interview took place on April 1, 2009.