René Wuillermin (nee VanDusen) died with her loving husband by her side on the afternoon of Saturday, April 22, 2023, after an 18-year battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. René was born in Binghamton, NY, and was raised in McClean, Virginia. She relocated to Hammonton, N.J., after meeting her husband on the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, Italy, during a high school class trip, and later eloping to Florence, South Carolina. An accomplished musician, particularly with the flute and French horn, she turned down a scholarship to the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in NY, to pursue her true life calling: being a nurse. This journey was inspired by the compassion and care she received from her nurses after suffering a traumatic eye injury during childhood. She began her work in her teens as a candy striper at Fairfax County Hospital and received her LPN from the Fairfax County School of Practical Nursing in 1970. Once in New Jersey, she received her RN from Atlantic Cape Community College.
During her long career, she cared for patients at Kessler Memorial Hospital in Hammonton, first as an ICU-CCU staff nurse, and later as a night supervisor and home health visiting nurse. She also worked the unit at Atlantic City Medical Center, Mainland Division, before becoming the Director of Utilization Review, Discharge Planning, and Quality Assurance at the Betty Bacharach Rehabilitation Hospital. She was an office nurse at Dr. Wrobleski’s cardiology practice, where she was responsible for patient visits, EKG screenings, and assisting with rounds in the hospital. Later, she worked with Gloucester County Special Services as a health specialist providing care to migrant children and young adults, victims of domestic abuse and the housing insecure. She finished her career working for various school districts as a substitute nurse before falling ill.
René is predeceased by her mother and father, Louise and Henry VanDusen; and her father- and mother-in-law, Edward Sr. and Mildred Wuillermin. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Edward Wuillermin, Jr; son, Edward III (Kristyn); daughter, Sara Wuillermin (Bradley Nussbaum); grandson, Matt Braun; a special niece Tabitha Carey (Michael); sister Kathy Barry (Steve); brother-in-law, August Wuillermin (Monica) and sisters-in-law, Lizanne and Cindy Berger (Dave); and many other nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the wonderful team at Samaritan Hospice and the caregivers who provided the most selfless, compassionate care to our dear Nay-Nay during her long illness.
A viewing will be held on Friday, April 28th, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church, 226 French St, Hammonton. A Mass of Christian burial with be celebrated at 12 p.m. with burial at Greenmount Cemetery immediately to follow. In lieu of flowers/donations, the family simply asks that people who loved René say a prayer or perform an act of kindness on behalf of all those who are sick and suffering in silence. To share a condolence, please visit marinellafuneralhome.com
Arrangements entrusted to the Marinella Funeral Home.