Dorothy Gelb

Dorothy Jean Ripley Piper Gelb, 94, died on December 22,2018, in Vincennes. She was born in Waco, Texas, to Mary Rowlett Ripley and D.S. Ripley. One sister (Amelia) and one brother (Shelby) preceded her in death. She was blessed to have two wonderful marriages - George D. Piper, Jr, (1946-1985) and Sidney Gelb (1993-2007).Like many people of her generation, Dorothy's life and career plans were changed by World War II. Rather than pursuing a career in vocal music, Dorothy became a registered nurse. (World War II also sent a dashing young Army private, George Piper, to Texas where they met.)Dorothy was a 1945 graduate of the Hermann Hospital (Houston, Texas) School of Nursing. During a career spanning more than 45 years, she worked in many nursing positions. However, her love was coronary care nursing. She helped create Good Samaritan Hospital's first coronary care unit where she mentored many nurses and young physicians. Dorothy "hung up her cap" in 1987. Dorothy was also an accomplished soprano who sang in the First Christian Church choir for many years. At the time of her death, she was a long-standing member of the First Christian Church.Dorothy is survived by her Piper family: Beverly Giordano (Gainesville, Fla), Vicki (Robert) Frederick of Vincennes, and Steve (Rebecca Ann) Piper of Evansville; her brother Joe (Lena Raye) Ripley of Livingston, Texas; 8 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews of her Texas family. She also is survived by her Gelb family: David (Sharon) Gelb of Vincennes; Janet (Morris) Medley of The Villages, Fla; Kathy (Mike) Gulley of Lebanon, Indiana; Sam Gelb of Des Moines, Iowa; and Susan (Randy) Duffey of Vincennes, as well as many loved Gelb grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Funeral service will be at Goodwin Family Funeral Home, 524 Broadway Street, on Monday, December 24, at 11AM. Visitation will be held two hours before the service. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Dorothy and family wish to extend special thanks to the kindly staff members of Gentle Care and Good Samaritan Hospital hospice care staff members, Vincennes. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army or First Christian Church, Vincennes.