Wilma J. Hagely passed away peacefully on March 21, 2015, after a short illness. Born in Jackson, Ohio on February 13, 1932, she was the daughter of Walter and Carrie Johnson. She was generous with her bright spirit and warm heart that touched the lives of many. Her selfless attitude for others and desire to care for those in need was the foundation of her profession and her life. Her strong faith and unconditional love was expressed in every facet of her life, from her career to her friendships.
Wilma graduated summa cum laude from Jackson High School in 1950 and went on to pursue her lifelong passion of caring for others by graduating from the White Cross School of Nursing in 1953. As president of the Riverside-White Cross Alumni Association, she led the effort to permanently display a lighted white cross on the building’s exterior representing the linkage between the former White Cross Hospital and the new Riverside Methodist Hospital. She began her career as a nurse at the V.A. Hospital in Chillicothe. She continued her profession as a registered nurse at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and later became director of nurses at The Ohio State University Clinic in 1955. Her career culminated by working as a registered nurse and caring for the patients at the private practice of Drs. Murphy, Keith and Lichtblau in Upper Arlington over the course of 27 years.
Throughout her life, Wilma was actively involved in her church through her leadership and service on many committees and mission work. Wilma provided countless hours to her community by working to provide counseling and assistance to individuals on a one-to-one basis. Through her compassionate heart, she contributed her talents by volunteering for many charitable organizations including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Boy Scouts of America, Columbus Symphony Orchestra and the Upper Arlington Public Schools. For all of her efforts, she was named Northwest Woman of the Year in 1981 by the Rotary Club of Upper Arlington.
Wilma is survived by her loving husband of more than 60 years, John R. Hagely of Upper Arlington; sons Todd (Amy) Hagely of Brentwood, Tennessee; Eric (Pamela) Hagely of Bexley, Ohio and Scott Hagely of San Francisco, California; sister Carol J. (John) Richards of Jackson, Ohio; five grandchildren: Taylor, Oliva and Cameron of Brentwood, Tennessee, and Carter and Kyle of Bexley, Ohio; a niece and three nephews.
Relatives and friends will be received from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 at the Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Rd. in Upper Arlington. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1581 Cambridge Blvd. in Marble Cliff, Rev. Dr. Chris Heckaman will officiate.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.schoedinger.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association, Columbus, Ohio Chapter (heart.org), or the Trinity Foundation at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1581 Cambridge Blvd. Columbus, Ohio 43212. Arrangements by Schoedinger Northwest Chapel.