Obituary of Anna Marie Lendrum

Warner Robins: Anna Marie Gentry Lendrum quietly joined her Lord and Savior on March 12, 2009. Born on May 20, 1920 in Geneva, IL, Anna’s extensive life held many diverse experiences, challenges and happiness. She was a decorated World War II Army nurse, compassionate school nurse, and long time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The fifth child of Lithuanian immigrants, Lawrence J. and Anna Shaigolish Gentry, Anna spent her formative years cherished by her siblings and basking in the joys of life in her sleepy Chicago suburb on the Fox River. Graduating from Geneva Community High School in 1938, she went on to attend St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Chicago, thus beginning a profession of dedication and sacrifice that would last 48 years. After her 1942 graduation from nursing school, Anna worked on the St. Luke’s Hospital Staff as a surgical nurse for six months until her enlistment in the Army Nurse Corps in 1943. Following her two older brothers patriotic lead, Anna supported the world conflict effort on land and aboard hospital ships in the Pacific Theater as a commissioned Lieutenant. Working off Australia, the Philippines and New Guinea aboard vessels to include the â??Maetsuyckerâ?쳌, Anna worked as a ward nurse assisting with the important task of evacuating the wounded and sick from island beachheads to intermediate bases in the rear. Her direct efforts helped to speedily administer modern medical treatment to thousands of injured servicemen. Among Anna’s most memorable war experiences was her service with the 42nd General Hospital in Manila taking care of Allied Prisoners of War after their release. Working around the clock, Anna helped administer first aid, comfort, and soldier identification while processing over 10,000 POWs during a 10 day period. Her active duty military schooling included Anesthesia School at 105th General Hospital Australia and Flight Nurse training at Gunter AFB, AL. For her wartime distinguished service, Anna was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 stars, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Service Medal with 3 Bronze Numerals and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. After the war, Anna continued her South Seas adventures as a reservist in the Territory of Hawaii where she was a popular member of the younger set during the time she served as a registered nurse at the Ewa Plantation Hospital, Queen’s Hospital and as a local doctor’s office nurse. She left the islands in 1953 to re-enter the active US Air Corps and was stationed in Fort Worth, TX until her Honorable Discharge in 1954. Busy as a housewife and mother after her marriage, Anna soon began her second career in Warner Robins as a Federal Service Employee for the Robins AFB School System from 1963 to her retirement in 1988. Responsible for the daily care, clinical treatment, and health care instruction to thousands of youthful children, this school nurse was well remembered for her â??hands-on philosophyâ?쳌 and active involvement in many professional, social and civic organizations. A charter member of the Women in Military Service for America, Anna was an early supporter for the National Women’s Memorial in Washington, DC. Through the Girl Scouts of the USA, Warner Robins Little Theater and Sacred Heart Catholic Church PTA and Golden Hearts, she made her presence and vitality known never to be too busy to contribute her â??original recipeâ?쳌 three bean salad to friends in need or to stop and chat with the ID checker at the base exchange. A previous cancer survivor, Anna learned early the value of hard work, courage, and education passing these traits on to her children. Anna was preceded in death by her husband MSgt Thomas E. Lendrum, USAF RET. She is survived by daughters Marianna E. Collins of Apex, NC, Sheri Green and her husband, Joe, of Montgomery, AL and Lori L. and Jimmy Long of Macon. She is also survived by her grandson James F. â??Treyâ?쳌 Long, III and granddaughter Rachael Collins-Harley. Visitation will follow a Rosary on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 6:00pm at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home. Anna’s life will be celebrated with a funeral Mass on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 1:00pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Entombment will follow in Magnolia Park Cemetery with Military Honors. Monsignor Fred Nijem will officiate. Heritage Memorial Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.