HOT SPRINGS — Dr. Frances C. Dalme,
of Hot Springs, Ark., died Wednesday, January 29, 2020. She was born August 7, 1930 in Haughton, La., to the late Frank and Atha Dalme. Most of her young life was spent in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas with an aunt and uncle: June and Emma Chanler.
Dr. Dalme graduated from Haughton High School, earned a diploma in nursing from Highland Hospital, Shreveport, La.; a B.S. in PHN from George Peabody College; completed requirements for both an MSN and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 1961 and 1971, respectively.
During her professional career, Dr. Dalme served in many nursing positions as both a practitioner and an educator. She was a distinguished faculty member at Northwestern University, as well as, professor and Associate Dean of Graduate Programs College of Nursing at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Frances provided the leadership for the establishment of the Graduate Program in Nursing allowing graduates to be licensed as Nurse Practitioners, as well as, hold a M.N. Sc degree.
Dr. Dalme held many other leadership positions and was recognized for excellence many times during her professional life. She was president of the Arkansas Nurses Association for 3 terms. Early in her tenure in Arkansas she was recognized as Nurse of the Year; later Dr. Dalme was inducted into Nursing Hall of Fame. In 2008, she was cited in Arkansas Nursing News as a “Professional Woman of Distinction.”
Dr. Dalme served on many health and medical related boards in both the lay and nursing-medical communities including a decade spent on the Arkansas State Board of Health (19861996), and was President of the Board of one term. In addition she served on the accreditation board of review and an accreditation visitor for the National League of Nursing.
Dr. Dalme enjoyed a long successful professional life, but she also found time for fishing, caring for animals, and traveling. In 1995, Dr. Dalme moved to Hot Springs after retiring from her professorship at UAMS and nursing at the UAMC.
A member of the First United Methodist Church, Dr. Dalme taught Sunday school regularly for a number of years, and later served as a rotating teacher. Dr. Dalme found volunteer work enriched her life and benefitted those she served. One of her favorite places to volunteer was the Caring Place and even had the history of that special ministry published.
Dr. Dalme was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved aunt and uncle, two sisters and a brother. Survivors include a number of nieces; nephews; a sister in-law; her longtime friend, Linda Rickel, and her entire family; plus a host of other family and friends who will miss her.
A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2020 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. David Moseley officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Caring Place, 101 Quapaw, Hot Springs, Ark. 71901; the Dalme/Rickel Lectureship, UAMS-College of Nursing, Slot 4301, West Markham Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72205; or the Garland County Humane Society, 1249 Ault Loop, Lonsdale, Ark. 72087. Guests may register at www.grossfuneralhome.com.
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