Lucille ("Lou") Mae Baldwin, 85, died on September 20, 2020. She received her nursing diploma in 1956, from Huron Road Hospital School of Nursing, Cleveland, OH. Caring for sick children rapidly became her first love and that interest grew during her tenure at Akron Children's Hospital. In 1957, she entered the Air Force National Guard and became the first flight nurse in Ohio. After relocating to Arizona in 1963, she earned her Bachelors of Nursing degree from ASU in 1968, and then earned her Masters of Science degree in 1971.

Lou was involved in the establishment of the first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Phoenix. Three years after obtaining her Master's degree, she became a faculty member in the College of Nursing graduate program at ASU, and developed a course curriculum in Child Mental Health. While at John C. Lincoln Hospital, from 1974-1987, she became the Vice President of Patient Care Services, and directed the nurse's team in the development of the first Level 1 Trauma Center in Phoenix. In 1989, she initiated a program at the Arizona Board of Nursing for nurses recovering from chemical dependency. Within five years, she had developed a similar program for nurses in Alabama. Lou retired in 2001, after 45 years in healthcare.

Following her master's education, Lou volunteered her counseling skills to a youth center. Referrals to the center came from law enforcement. The goal was to counsel families in hopes that youth would make healthy choices rather than become a statistic in the Juvenile Court System. Lou also volunteered for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program administered by the Arizona Supreme Court. She was an advocate for children embroiled in the child protective services system, and was assigned to specific children or sibling groups. In addition, each week she spent a day at a Family Visitation Center where parents and children were allowed to come together in order to develop both social and parenting skills.

Lou is survived by two brothers, a sister, eight nieces and nephews, 11 great nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Following her wishes, Lou's ashes will be spread in the Grand Canyon. Expressions of sympathy may be directed to: The Nature Conservancy (Source: Arizona Republic)