Servan “Van” Umstead Whitfield, age 64, died Friday, January 27, 2017 at Duke Regional Hospital. A Durham native, Van was born to the late Alvis “Buddy” and Margaret Grinstead Umstead on December 7, 1952.
Van graduated from the Watts School of Nursing where she began working in 1976. She later moved to Durham Regional where she opened the hospital’s Emergency Room and where she retired in 2004. She’ll be remembered by colleagues and friends for her compassion and devotion to the many patients she served during her nursing career.
Van is survived by her husband of 10 years, Ron Whitfield of Durham, NC; her step-mother, Betty Umstead, also of Durham; her brother, Steve Umstead and wife, Lauren, of Rougemont, NC; her half-brother, Kelly Umstead and wife, Susan, of Durham, NC; two step-children, Chris Whitfield and wife, Angie, of Tremont, IL; Adam Whitfield and wife, Teresa, of Rougemont, NC; four step-grandchildren and three nephews and one niece.
A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 5, 2017 from the Chapel of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Friends may visit with the family after the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Servan Whitfield Scholarship Fund, c/o Watts School of Nursing, 2828 Croasdaile Drive, #200, Durham, NC 27705.
Arrangements for the Whitfield family are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. On-line condolences: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.
Joanne Gulliksen
February 1, 2017 at 6:21 pmRon and Steve and to the rest of Nikki’s family. I will be thinking about you on Sunday at 3:00. I think about Nikki constantly with great sadness since I received the news of her passing. How lucky was I to be able to reconnect with her after such a long absence since our childhood and teen years.
I have made a donation to the Watts School of Nursing. God bless you all. Missing Nikki.
Donna
February 1, 2017 at 8:23 pmTo Ron and family, sorry to hear of Van’s untimely passing. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy during this time of loss. Van will be missed. May we all find solace in each other.
Joy Long
February 2, 2017 at 6:57 amSo sadden over Van’s death. She was a very beautiful & special lady. Our thought & prayers are with you.
Love, Joy, Tracy, Tanner & Colin
Rita Altman
February 2, 2017 at 8:41 amVan (Nikki) was my best friend all through high school. There was nothing we did not do without each other . After she moved back to NC we did not see much of each other but the memories of those years will never be forgotten. Hard to believe she is gone . My dearest condolences
Pat Hirsch
February 3, 2017 at 7:04 amVan was a fine nurse and friend to many over the years. I remember her compassion the most; sad to hear we lost one of a kind. Prayers for the many that greive her passing. To Van- rest now; and “thank you” for your kind spirit!
Tee & Bill Major
February 3, 2017 at 9:20 pmTEE & I have nothing but love for Van. She has been a joy in our life since I was at Durham Regional. Unfortunately we will be unable to attend the services. We can however offer an IRISH blessing which we would have done in person had we been able to attend. It follows:
May the blessing of the rain be on you
The soft sweet rain
May it fall upon your spirit
So that all the little flowers
may spring up
and shed their sweetness
the air
may the blessing of the
great rains be on you
may they beat upon your spirit
and wash it fair and clean
and leave there many a shining pool
where the blue heron shines
and sometimes a star
No need to ask who who the star is
LOVE TEE & BILL
Nancy
February 4, 2017 at 10:53 pmSo sorry to hear about Van. Prayers for all of you.
Nancy Upchurch Dixon
Nancy Winne ( Sam )
February 5, 2017 at 2:08 pmSaddened to learn of Van ( Nikki ) passing . We were coworkers in Durham County Hospital Emergency Department from 1978-1987. I will always remember her quick wit and mischievous grin. Rest assured, her bright light will live on in your stories of shared experiences.
Clare Reece-Glore
February 6, 2017 at 5:40 amRon and family, so sorry to hear of your wife’s death. I will be thinking of all of you.
J. SMITH
February 9, 2017 at 7:02 amTO THE FAMILY OF SERVAN UMSTEAD WHITFIELD. MAY THE GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE BRING YOUR FAMILY COMFORT DURING THIS SAD TIME. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3,4. THE SON OF GOD JESUS CHRIST OFFERS US THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION, OF SEEING OUR LOVED ONES AGAIN ON A BEAUTIFUL PARADISE EARTH WHERE PAIN, SICKNESS AND DEATH WILL BE NO MORE. JOHN 5:28,29; PSALMS 37:10,11,29; REVELATION 21:3-5. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES. J. SMITH
Joanne Smith
February 14, 2017 at 6:07 amTo Steve and Lauren, so sorry to hear of your loss. Van was a dear friend and coworker from Watts to Durham Regional. Keeping you and your family in my prayers. Joanne Smith