INA COULTER May 22, 2016
After 92 years of adventure, Ina Coulter has been released from her earthly body and is rejoicing to be at home with her Lord.
Ina was born the daughter of Dr. Watson and Jane Campbell. She grew up in the small town of Halstead, Kansas where her father practiced as a physician in the famous Hertzler Clinic and Hospital. She left home at age 18 to attend Nurses Training at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska during WWII as a part of the US Cadet Nurse Corps. Following the war she moved to Denver where she earned a degree in Hospital Administration from Colorado University. While working in Denver, some matchmaking friends introduced her to James Coulter. It was love at first sight and they were married on Christmas Day of that same year. They moved to Los Alamos in 1951 and never looked back.
Ina and Jim joined the United Church when they first moved to town. Active in the Couples Class, serving as Camp Nurse for several years, teaching Sunday School and leading Bible Studies, Ina found a personal and loving relationship with Christ. She practiced Contemplative Prayer, served many years as a Stephen Minister and was a member of the Order of St. Luke and the Walk to Emmaus.
Ina loved being a mom to her four children and especially enjoyed making holidays special. They all remember many Christmas and Easter traditions. She became a Girl Scout Leader when her eldest daughter entered Brownies and stayed until the youngest graduated from High School. She was a talented organizer, which led her to writing a training curriculum for leaders, culminating in a position as “Trainer of Trainers”. Scouting also led her into hiking and backpacking with a group of like-minded women who named their group “The Bar-Nothings”. For decades these women hiked every Thursday in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado, expanding their horizons to backpacking in Utah when they reached their 70’s.
Returning to nursing in the 1970’s, Ina worked at the Los Alamos Medical Center as an RN for five years and the Sombrillo Nursing and Rehabilitation facility for four years when it first opened. She then retired to the active life of a volunteer and helping her husband with his business – Research Developments.
Her giving spirit made Ina a good friend, and she leaves behind many amazing friends whose love she has cherished. Ina is survived by James Coulter, her adoring husband of 67 years, daughter Joan Oliver and husband Pedro, son Robert Coulter and partner Gabriella Francis, daughter Elizabeth Johnson and husband Timothy, daughter Pam Coulter, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the hospice staff of Los Alamos Visiting Nurses for their care of Ina and the family in the final weeks.
A celebration of Ina’s life will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at the United Church of Los Alamos at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The United Church or Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service.
The family of Ina Coulter has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505.747.7477 –www.devargasfuneral.com.
