Beloved Nurse Who Always Went the Extra Mile Retires After 58 Years of Service
A very special nurse retires after 58 years of service at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She was sent off through a crowd of hundreds of people, all there just for her. Some of her patients, like Marco Houpe, believe she was their “guardian angel.”
Children’s Hospital Nurse Retires After 58 Years
Marco was 15 months old when he visited the hospital in 1965. He was one of Nurse Wynola Wayne’s very first patients. Wynola was working in the burns unit when they brought in Marco.
The little boy was visiting his grandma’s house when a Christmas tree caught fire. He was severely burned and found a toy melted in his hand, and was revived twice in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. His burns covered 85% of his body, but no one—especially Nurse Wynola—gave up on him.
"And there was such a feeling of connection with him," Miss Wynola recalled. "And even though those burns were extensive, I said, 'You're going to survive.' Because I could see it in his eyes."
Marco Says Nurse Wynola Was His ‘Guardian Angel’
"My parents used to tell me about this nurse. In the morning, she was there. In the evening, she was there. At night, she was there," Marco said.
The family believes Wynola had a huge impact on Marco’s recovery. In fact, they believe he wouldn’t have survived without Wynola’s help and constant loving presence. The family has photos of Nurse Wynola helping Marco walk after his accident. He calls her his “guardian angel.”
Her Retirement Send-Off Brings Their Story Full Circle
Wynola so loved Marco and his determination that she named her own son after him. Today, Marco is living a full life and is married with two children.
Marco’s story is just one of thousands. Wynola helped so many people with incredible love, care, and encouragement. That’s obvious from the 5-minute standing ovation the crowd gave her at her retirement send-off. And who was there to walk her out? Marco, of course. She cried out with excitement when she saw him there, holding a bouquet of flowers for her.
It’s wonderful that this hospital’s patients had Nurse Wynola there for nearly 6 decades. She truly is an angel.
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8
WATCH: Beloved Nurse Who Always Went the Extra Mile Retires After 58 Years of Service
LISTEN: After 50 Years of Teaching, She Said Goodbye to Students | High School Throws Their 90-Year-Old Well-Loved Janitor a Birthday Party
h/t:: CBS News
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/CBS Evening News
Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.
Originally published October 08, 2026.
