Rose Mary Willkens, 87, of Washington, Pa., died Sunday in Hawthorn Woods.

She was born June 26, 1921, in Rockwood, a daughter of C. Steel and Mary McVicker Gardner.

Rose Mary graduated from Southmont High School, Johnstown. She received her bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh in 1943 as part of Pitt's first five-year nursing degree program.

She held instructor of nursing positions at the University of Pittsburgh; Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh; Alderson-Broaddus College, Phillipi, W.Va.; Chester High School and Chester School of Practical Nursing, Chester, Pa.; as well as a lecturer for Slippery Rock University. She also served as diabetes clinician at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where she received several awards for patient education.

She formerly was a member of the American Nurses Association and served on the board of directors for the American Diabetes Association, Butler.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Washington, where she formerly was on the Board of Deacons. Rose Mary was a member of American Baptist Women's Ministries for 35 years. She loved working in the church and making a difference in peoples' lives. She was a volunteer for the Community Circle Food Pantry, Washington.

In 1944, she was married to the Rev. William H.R. Willkens, Ph.D., who died Sept. 20, 2004. She was a helpmate to her late husband in his career as a minister, college administrator and author.

Mrs. Willkens is survived by two sons, David Willkens and his wife, Barbara, and their daughters, Becky and Kathy of Hickory and Daniel Willkens and his wife, Candace, and their daughter, Danielle, of Springfield, Va.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Rapp.

<B>WILLKENS</B> — Friends of Rose Mary Willkens, who died Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008, are invited to attend a memorial service to be held at 1 p.m. Sunday in the First Baptist Church, 101 S. College St., Washington, Pa., with Pastor Steven B. Dunlap officiating. A reception will follow the service. Private burial will be in the North Ten Mile Baptist Church Cemetery.The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Celebration of Life Fund of the First Baptist Church.<B>Hummell and Barnhill Funeral Home</B>, Washington, Pa., is entrusted with arrangements; and condolences may be left at www.hummellandbarnhill.com.