Rehoboth man launches nursing scholarship to honor wife
After losing his wife, a long-time nurse, to cancer, Rehoboth High grad Chuck Mowll is honoring her memory with a scholarship to help aspiring nurses overcome financial barriers they face in the pursuit of education.
Darlene "Darby" Mowll, RN, was diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma on Dec. 26, 2018, and passed away just 10 days later.
“During the extraordinary care she received at Beebe Hospital, Darlene remarked every day how wonderful the nursing staff was,” Chuck said. “She referred to them as star nurses because they were competent, caring and compassionate. Darlene knew what great nursing looks like because she was a nurse herself for over 30 years.”
Darlene grew up in Chester, Pa., and was one of 11 children in a big Irish family. Her passion for nursing began in high school, when she worked as a nursing home aide.
“Her family didn't have much money and certainly couldn't afford to send their kids to college,” Chuck said. “Darlene was determined to make something of herself and not be deterred because of financial restraints.”
Thanks to financial aid, tuition assistance and scholarships, Darlene entered the practical nursing program at Crozer Chester Medical Center, graduating as an LPN in 1974. She worked full time while completing her nursing degree at Delaware Technical Community College and passed her nursing boards, becoming a registered nurse.
Over a 30-year career, she worked in medical and surgical units, newborn and maternal care, and home care, and was licensed in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Illinois.
“Darlene's passion to become a nurse and to provide medical care to hospitalized patients would never have been realized without the financial assistance and encouragement provided by others,” Chuck said. “Darlene would want to help high school graduates aspiring to become a nurse but are faced with financial barriers. This is the purpose of the Darby Mowll, RN, Nursing Scholarship.”
Applicants must be graduating Cape High seniors who have committed to attend a school of nursing or college program in nursing. Scholarship applications are available at Cape High’s Guidance Office and must be submitted by Friday, April 30.
