Passion That Lasted a Lifetime – And Generosity That Continued Beyond

Mildred Schuler Sterling loved the beach, golfing and playing bridge. But her true passion was caring for older adults—and for making sure healthcare professionals had the best education to do so. And while she went halfway across the world in her early life and gained national renown during her career in Florida, her heart belonged to the hospital in Normal, IL, where she graduated nursing school. Her 2005 estate gift to the BroMenn Foundation, now Carle Center for Philanthropy, continues to have an outstanding impact on our community today.

Born in Iowa in 1916, Mildred grew up in Illinois and attended the Brokaw School of Nursing, at what is now Carle BroMenn Medical Center. After graduating in 1938, she served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps as a second lieutenant, stationed in the South Pacific during World War II.

In her long career after the war, Mildred became a nationally recognized expert in the care of older adults and was a tireless advocate for improving their lives. Retiring in 1983, she continued providing energetic support to organizations caring for older adults. She also led educational seminars and conferences for healthcare professionals, drawing participants from across the U.S.

Mildred was a longtime friend and donor to the BroMenn Foundation. When she passed away in 2005, she had her friends and family—in lieu of flowers—make contributions to the Foundation for nurses' education. But by far her most impactful gift was another she planned in advance—Mildred left the Foundation the residual of her estate.

This estate gift became the seeds of a remarkable facility Mildred would have loved. In 2009, the hospital opened the Mildred Sterling Life Enrichment Center, a day care center for older adults dedicated in her memory. And Mildred's impact didn't end there—remaining funds from her estate gift are helping our nurses pursue continuing education, another lifelong goal of this remarkable woman whose influence spread across the country. And it all began at a humble nursing school in a community that will never forget her.