Crestwood Village East February 2014 Resident Spotlight

An excellent active listener, Luella Elliott is kind by nature and patient in heart. Shes an accomplished and intelligent lady with rich life experience. I am honored to count her as a friend! Born in January 1937 in Trafalgar, Indiana, Luella Elliott grew up as the fourth of five girls born to James and Gladys Greer. Luella tells me that there were four years between the births of each of the sisters. She recalls Trafalgar was a canning factory community at the time, and her older sister worked in the factory. Her father was principal at the local school. Luella attended elementary school in Trafalgar and in Hagerstown. The family moved to Lewisville where her father became high school principal. Graduating from Lewisville High School, Luella recalls that her graduating class consisted of thirteen students. There were six boys and seven girls in her class. Of these thirteen, four went on to college with three graduating. I think thats pretty remarkable, Luella commented and I have to agree! In 1959 Luella graduated from what was then known as Ball State Teachers College, earning a Bachelors Degree in Nursing. My entire nursing career was devoted to pediatric and obstetric nursing, she reflects. Later, in 1976, Luella would earn a Masters Degree in Nursing from Indiana University. Thats no small accomplishment as she was a busy mother of four children: Rusty, Randy, Lora, and Lisa! Beginning her nursing career at Community Hospital East, she worked in Labor and Delivery. She also taught Nursing for an extended time at University of Indianapolis. Luella describes one of the most interesting parts of her life as the time she spent Travel nursing in California. I loved the people of California and their kindness, Luella states. She recalls her apartment overlooked the Pacific Ocean. During her three months in the San Clemente area, she also told me she met a pod of thirty dolphins she became engrossed in and followed down the beach! Her career took her to Fort Myers, Florida, where she spent significant time working in maternal nursing. Then, in May of 2011, Luella moved to Crestwood East. She is a great advocate of exercise. Keep exercising. Dont ever stop. Keep your legs strong, is Luellas advice to younger people. Luella is a great example of living life renewed. I am thankful that she has chosen Crestwood East as her home and I look forward to the chats she and I enjoy! Written by: Joann Shanks