Frances Sadler Award Fund | Award for Nursing
The Frances Sadler Award for Nursing is awarded in appreciation of the critical work performed by nurses in the Lehigh Valley. A former nurse, Frances Sadler knew that nurses perform extraordinary work every day. She had a desire to recognize and help support her colleagues as they begin their nursing careers.
Mrs. Sadler, a native of the Lehigh Valley, acknowledged that there’s a chronic need for trained nurses, especially in the area of women’s wellness. As Mrs. Sadler had explained, “There have been many times when women have been unfairly treated by the medical profession. I want to see women have the health care they need for themselves, and by extension, their families. That is why the nursing award recognizes an individual who has given time and talent to improving the lives of women.”
LVCF thanks Frances Sadler and her family for generously endowing this special award that will be given to a first-year Lehigh Valley nurse who has experience with caring for the well-being of women, a demonstrated financial need, and a strong academic record. Learn more about the Frances Sadler Nursing Award.
Frances Mary Sadler October 4, 1951 – January 16, 2025
Frances was born on October 4, 1951, in Allentown, PA to Michael and Anna (Blazusiac) Gierula. She was born during prime apple picking season, so she had to wait til her mother was finished making applesauce on her birthday. To her credit, she waited until her mother was finished making applesauce. After all, it was prime apple picking season. She lived in East Allentown and had two older brothers Michael and William Gierula, both now deceased along with her parents.
Frances attended Central Catholic High School and attended Penn State where she met her future husband, Robert. After marriage, they moved to Andalusia, PA just outside Philadelphia. She attended Temple University where she received a BA in History in 1973.
Later she and Robert moved to Maryland where they lived for most of their marriage, first in Annapolis and then in Silver Spring. While in Annapolis, she attended Maryland General Hospital for their three-year nursing program and graduated in 1979. She commuted from Annapolis to Baltimore on the 5:00 AM bus and was the first student to not live on campus. To show how the times have changed, she needed her husband’s permission to do that. When she graduated, she was tied for the best academic performance. She started work at Anne Arundel General Hospital after graduation working the evening shift. She had worked there as a unit clerk again on the evening shift. In the early years, she commuted to work mostly by bus but occasionally on her 100 cc Yamaha enduro motorcycle – her little yellow Yamaha.
She loved traveling after retirement. Her trips included foreign stays in Canada, Holland, England, Poland and Australia. All trips, both foreign and domestic, were highlighted by visits to the local botanical gardens and many zoos. Her favorite stop was from Buchart Gardens in Victoria, Canada. She visited this garden for three seasons. All except winter. Her best memory was the sunken garden in spring. The area was reclaimed from an area that was mined so there was an overlook of literally millions of tulips, daffodils, and under planted with smaller bulbs.
Domestic trips included local sights such as Philadelphia, Valley Forge, and the many museums and historical spots around Washington. The National Parks trip out west was the best US tour. Besides the tour itself, the area around Tucson held outdoor plant delights. The one she most wanted to see was the blooms on the Saguaro cactus. The large white flowers look like a bridal bouquet.
Fran was very proud of both children, Thomas and Christine, and both are successful in their fields. Fran enjoyed a long happy life with both family and friends, especially her loving husband Robert. She knows she will live on through her grandchildren Carter and Lincoln, who will be guided by her son Thomas and his loving wife Claire. Other surviving family members include sister-in-law Julie Gierula, nephew Michael Gierula and his wife Denise and their children Mikey and Jake.
Among her many achievements are building two houses and raising two children with her husband. She was also known for her quilting and sewing – baby kits: quilt, crib sheets, bibs, toys, and clothes all over US with some bibs being given to people her husband knew through work around the world. Fran was a longtime member of Asbury Methodist Church and their quilting group.
She also enjoyed Gardening – every house had a garden. She was also quite a baker – 144 zucchini bread loaves in one season with zucchini she grew and 36 nutrolls and up to 19 different kinds of cookies (note “Cookie Tin” freezer purchased expressly for them) at Christmas. She loved giving these goodies out especially at Christmas.
In 2021 she established the Frances Sadler Award Fund – Nursing Grant. This endowment has already given grants to five nurses and is set up to continue to do so annually for a long time. The grant goes to a nurse in her first year of employment with experience in women’s health. Frances viewed this field as a relatively neglected and underappreciated area as nurses can also be. Applicants are judged on their work experience, academic record and financial need.
Gifts to the Frances Sadler Award Fund can be made by submitting a check, payable to the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, 840 West Hamilton Street, Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18101. You can make a gift with our credit card with the link below.
Make a gift to the Frances Sadler Award Fund
