Karen, i am sorry for your loss. You and Mary made a good pair

- Gail Boyle, Bluffton, SC

May the candle shine forever in heaven for Mary...My condolences to you Karen and to Mary's family

- Catherine Marquardt, Bluffton, SC

Karen, so sorry for your loss, she was beautiful in so many ways

- Leeann Hearl, Kansas City, MO

Please know that Mary gave so much to so many, and we are thankful. Nurses and nursing are better for her having shared her time and talents with us.

- Rita Munley Gallagher, PhD, RN, FFNMRCSI, Washington, DC

My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to Mary's family and friends. Mary was so easy to talk with. You could feel her connection and recognize her thoughtful comments. Such a great loss to the nursing community and her colleagues. My prayers follow her family and friends. God speed, Mary. Pray for us from your heavenly home.

- Lynn Morrow Slegel, Schererville, IN

Mary's dedication to nursing was unwavering, and I greatly respect her contributions to the American Nurses Association. My deepest sympathy to Mary's family and Karen at this sad time.

- Tom Stenvig, Aberdeen, South Dakota

It's very difficult to find words that haven't been said about Mary. We loved her as a neighbor and friend. A great loss to us all. She is in a much better place and in the arms of Christ. We will miss her terribly. Mike and Linda Eibling

- Mike and Linda Eibling, Bluffton, SC

Karen ,Bill and I were so sorry to hear about Mary. She was as such a kind and caring person and a wonderful neighbor. Our prayers are with you and the family. She is now with the angels in heaven. May she rest in peace. Bill and Lee McGovern

- Bill and Lee McGovern , Bluffton SC, SC

I am so very sorry for your loss of Mary. I knew Mary from our high school days at St. Francis High School in Mishawaka, Indiana. The world is a much better place for Mary's using her many gifts and talents in her wholehearted dedication to nursing. How fortunate we were to have her as a nurse, a role model for women in the workplace, and to know her as a friend. May she rest in peace.

- Connie Zatsick, Ann Arbor , MI

I'm so sorry to hear of Mary's passing! I was fortunate to meet her when she was the team lead for a CCNE onsite review. I was a member of the team, and I learned she had been the Dean at my college (Seattle University) before I arrived there. I was so impressed by her leadership and her warmth, and we stayed in touch via our Facebook connection. I will miss her posts!

- Susan Matt, Issaquah, WA

Mary was a true friend to my family, especially to my brother Donald. She cared about him when he was far from us doing his master's in IL and ensured he was always safe and loved. When it was our turn to visit she greeted my mom and I in the most kind way. I will cherish these memories forever. Now, we are facing to continue without her. For me it was our frequent interactions via Facebook and her lovely comments every time I posted pics from my nieces, Donald's daughters. Even something as silly as that made me feel close to her all these years. Now I ache her passing. To Karen and her family, there are no words to make this bearable, but I will pray for strength for all of you. Mary: the Ugartes love you and will miss you.

- Wilda Ugarte, Bogotá, Colombia

Mary was a true friend to my family, especially to my brother Donald. She cared about him when he was far from us doing his master's in IL and ensured he was always safe and loved. When it was our turn to visit she greeted my mom and I in the most kind way. I will cherish these memories forever. Now, we are facing to continue without her. For me it was our frequent interactions via Facebook and her lovely comments every time I posted pics from my nieces, Donald's daughters. Even something as silly as that made me feel close to her all these years. Now I ache her passing. To Karen and her family, there are no words to make this bearable, but I will pray for strength for all of you. Mary: the Ugartes love you and will miss you.

- Wilda Ugarte, Bogotá, Colombia

Dear Karen. I'm so sorry for the loss of Mary. Mary is so loved, and her love will always live in the hearts of those who love her.

- Hong Xu, Liberty Lake , Wa

I am so deeply sorry for your loss of Mary. I have known Mary since the late 80's when she was at the Hines VA in Chicago. A great person and supporter of me as a postdoctoral fellow. She had a fabulous career but she will be most missed because of love of others and life.

- Kathleen Potempa, Ann Arbor, Michigan

I will always have a deep place in my heart for Mary. Her grace, encouragement, wisdom and mentorship helped me navigate a portion of my professional life while we served on Washington State Nurses Association Board of Directors. But what I remember most were her words. She was so funny, and I loved just to listening to her, both in an informal and classroom setting. I will never forget how she said, you can insult anyone and they never really realize they are being insulted when you start ‘with all due respect' and end with ‘bless your heart'. Mary will be missed by all whom she touched and she touched many hearts. Rest in peace Mary.

- Kim Armstrong, Georgetown, TX

Dr. Mary Walker will be in my heart forever. Under your leadership, you found a new diverse faculty, which is me and you believed in my academic potential. It is under your leadership, I was offered a faculty position at the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing in 2008. i am forever grateful for that. You were a great academician and scholar. You left lasting impact in my life. Rest in Peace, my dear Dr. Mary Walker. Annie Thomas

- Annie Thomas, Chicago, IL

A candle has been lit!

Rest in Peace dear Dr. Walker. You will be remembered forever.

- Annie Thomas, Chicago, IL

Karen - My heart goes out to you as you grieve (with so many others) the loss of a truly great person. I treasure memories of working with you both “back in the day” at ANA and beyond. Mary was a quintessential nursing leader who made the world a better place. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

- Linda Cronenwett, Ludington, MI

Mary's work with the disabled community Immeasurably changed the lives of the people with whom she worked. She will be missed.

- Ava Crow, Lexington, Ky

Mary's work with the disabled community Immeasurably changed the lives of the people with whom she worked. She will be missed.

- Ava Crow, Lexington, Ky

Mary's work with the disabled community Immeasurably changed the lives of the people with whom she worked. She will be missed.

- Ava Crow, Lexington, Ky

Prayer to the family of this in credible woman. Praying for Mary's eternal peace. Karen please accept my families condolences and love during this difficult time.

- Crystal Powell, Chicago, IL

Karen, Tom and Matt, I am so very sorry for your loss. In reading the many tributes here, I see a theme that is no surprise to anyone who knew her: Friendship. Mary was a friend to everyone she met, and the very best kind of friend one could hope to have. She was steadfastly kind and caring to me throughout the many years I knew her, embodying the very best of humanity: loyalty, intellect, compassion, and honor. While I will miss her presence and her friendship terribly, I will carry her lessons forward, striving always to treat others with the same kindness and grace she showed the world.

- David Meacham, Seattle, WA

I will always treasure my relationship with Mary -first working with her (and others) to create the Southern Nursing Research Society. Later, she recruited me to be the holder of the first endowed chair in nursing at Seattle University. As the Dean, she was gracious and inspiring as one of our most accomplished leaders in nursing. I pray that her family to move past the sorrow and remember only the good times.

- Mary de Chesnay, Mesa, AZ

I will always treasure my relationship with Mary -first working with her (and others) to create the Southern Nursing Research Society. Later, she recruited me to be the holder of the first endowed chair in nursing at Seattle University. As the Dean, she was gracious and inspiring as one of our most accomplished leaders in nursing. I pray that her family to move past the sorrow and remember only the good times.

- Mary de Chesnay, Mesa, AZ

Marybwas amn amazing role model & leader full of wisdom & kindness. Her impact was deep and lasting. Nursing in WA owes her tribute. I will remember her in many ways.

- Linda Tieman, University Place, WA

Mary words can express my sorrow and surprise to hear of your death and passing. You are always there for me. I love you dearly. You're a wonderful woman and you remain a deep influence in my life. God bless you and your family. Amen Pamela Detrick.

- Pamela Detrick, Sun city center, FL

Dr. Walker pushed me kicking and screaming through graduate school at the University of KY College of Nursing. I was fortunate to meet up with her as Dean of Research at the University of South Florida where she again pushed me into the doctoral program. Mary made a huge impact on my life both professionally and personally. I will be forever in debt to her mentoring and guidance. She will be missed.

- Robyn Cheung , Tampa, Fl