The Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association Inc.

Linnae Coleman died at her home on December 27.  She was born August 19, 1955 as one of eight Knupp children.  A defining feature of her life was that due to an illness while in the womb, she was born without kneecaps or regular hip bones.  She spent a significant part of her young life in casts, in doctor’s offices, in hospitals, and learning how to move through the world in a way different from the other members of her family.  This was defining not because it overshadowed her life, rather it was defining because of what she accomplished in spite of this.  It solidified two traits of her personality.  


First, she learned to be realistic and optimistic at the same time.  Things might have been tough in terms of the things which were “different” for her compared to other children and the things she “couldn’t do”.  However, she was instilled with an innate focus on the details which were outside of her control, and what was in her control.  When she had more than sufficient reasons to feel down or discouraged, she always surprised her family with her grounded optimism.  She might not have been where she wanted to be in life circumstances - but she focused on where she was and where she was working to get to.


The second personality trait was that she was imbued in her during childhood was a strong desire to become a nurse.  Perhaps it was the amount of time she spent in hospitals and doctor’s offices.  Perhaps it was kindness shown to her by nursing staff during those early years.  Perhaps it was just her clearest path towards helping other people and living a life of service to society and her community.  


Making her dream a reality, she graduated from Nursing School at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  Soon thereafter she married her first husband and became the mother of Adam, Erica, and Joel who survive her today.  


These two traits continued to serve her family heroically.  She was a dedicated nurse and spent twenty-seven years working in Intensive/Critical Care Units, often in trauma hospitals - no small feat physically and emotionally.  After this time, she spent another thirteen years as a case manager for health insurance, making certain that people were covered for the care they needed.  Her children remember not just her full time jobs, but often at least one part time nursing position (if not more) in addition.  They remember the long shifts, the commutes during the worst storms, needing to work holidays and special occasions, and the massive amounts of coffee (which she loved).  It wasn’t just the need to support her family, she took pride in her profession and her professionalism.


One story that stayed with her youngest son Joel, happened during one of his many prank calls to her at work.  He pretended to be “Doctor O’Brian” casually checking up on a patient but also requesting that she bring him a cup of coffee with the patient charts.  The firmness and professionalism in her voice as she explained that she was an equal colleague and wasn’t going to bring him his coffee made Joel proud, and became a memory and lesson that stuck with him throughout his life.


Linnae’s husband Bob and her children want to honor her memory and professional dedication by making a donation in her name to help provide nursing students with scholarships.  We believe the work that brought her so much meaning in her life, and her memory, can be carried on by helping a new generation of nurses.

All money rasied will be donated in her name to benefit the Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association, Inc. (FNSNA).