Ada Faw Wortman

Longtime Morganton resident, Ada Faw Wortman passed away peacefully at Grace Ridge Retirement Community on Monday, October 12 at the age of 94.  Ada Faw was born in Caldwell County and was one of 12 children in the Faw family.  She attended Happy Valley High School and was a Nurse Cadet graduating from Grace Hospital School of Nursing in 1946. Ada later attended Appalachian State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Management.  Known as a steadfast leader, her forty years of working experience began in the operating room at the original Grace Hospital where she served in many roles including providing specialized services in private physician offices.  She retired after twenty-eight years of service at Broughton Hospital in the capacity of Assistant Director of Nurses.

Ada was married to Morganton native Elbert D. Wortman for 56 years.  She is survived by her two children: Linda Wortman Lowe (Hugh), who lives in Valdese and Davis Wortman (Dean Meyers) who lives in New York City; two granddaughters: Kincaid Lowe Beasley (Mike) and Ashlyn Lowe Hawkins (Dale); and three great-grandchildren: Piper Hawkins, Joseph Hawkins and Elise Beasley.

As a member of the First United Methodist Church, Ada served on the Administrative Committee, was active in the Heilhecker class and volunteered for committees including the Keepers, the Knitters and the Visiting committee.  She enjoyed playing bridge, reading, and was a highly skilled seamstress and knitter. Her greatest passion was spending time with and caring for her family; she especially enjoyed being active in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who affectionately called her “Mimi”. Ada was a true pillar of love and support among her friends and family. Always reliable, loyal and quick to be of service to others, she gracefully and proudly embodied all of the devotion and steadfastness of America’s Greatest Generation.

Ada embodied the spirit of the Nightingale Tribute for remembering nurses by Duane Jaeger:

She Was There

When a calming, quiet presence was all that was needed,

She was there.

In the excitement and miracle of birth or in the mystery and loss of life,

She was there.

When a silent glance could uplift a patient, family member or friend,

She was there.

At those times when the unexplainable needed to be explained,

She was there.

When the situation demanded a swift foot and sharp mind,

She was there.

When a gentle touch, a firm push, or an encouraging word was needed,

She was there.

In choosing the best one from a family’s “Thank You” box of chocolates,

She was there.

To witness humanity—its beauty, in good times and bad, without judgment,

She was there.

To embrace the woes of the world, willingly, and offer hope,

She was there.

And now, that it is time to be at the Greater One’s side,

She is there.

A private graveside service for the family will be held on Saturday, October 17 at Forest Hill Cemetery in Morganton. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.