(Aug. 23, 2013 - by Harold Goerzen) Liz Fuller, a retired missionary nurse who played a key role in the early years of HCJB Global's medical outreach, died in Spokane, Wash., on July 25, three years after her husband, Ev, a surgeon, went to be with the Lord.

Dr. Paul Roberts, the physician who began the mission's medical ministry in 1949 and founded the Vozandes Hospital in Quito, Ecuador, in 1955, credits Liz with starting the hospital's Palmer School of Nursing, a two-year course with a diploma in practical nursing.

"The actual school did not function for long because shortly afterward the National School of Nursing opened in Quito," Roberts explained. "But I'm sure her efforts … were a major catalyst in starting the National School."

When Hospital Vozandes-Shell opened on the edge of Ecuador's Amazon region in 1958, Liz continued to serve there, being a leader in the nursing field.

"The Fullers brought competence, joy, enthusiasm and their lovely children," Roberts related. "Their delight and desire was to serve the Lord with us, and they served Him well, both in Quito and in Shell. Liz was a joy and encouragement to all. Her friendliness, her warmth and hospitality and her love for others showed in all she did. She was a wonderful nurse and loving mother. She was an example to all."

Retiree Imogene Booker agreed, saying she had "never known anyone that could smile through her tears like Liz though she had many valid reasons for them. One wall in their dining room was full of signatures of guests that had shared a meal with them."

"My mom would often be seen by Dad's side in the operating room, assisting in surgeries and in the follow-up care of patients," added her son, Dave.

Elisabeth "Liz" Parsons Fuller was born in Walton, N.Y., on March 21, 1920, and grew up in Johnstown, N.Y., where her father, Harlow, served as pastor of the First Baptist Church and her mother, Mildred, played piano and organ for the worship services. Liz graduated from Johnstown High School in 1937 after which she attended Wheaton College in Illinois. Then she completed the three-year nurses' training program at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y., graduating with an RN degree in the fall of 1943.

Liz married Morris Everett "Ev" Fuller on Oct. 16, 1943. Seven years later the Fullers, along with their first four children, left for Ecuador as medical missionaries, serving there until 1966. Financial support came from East Glenville Church and First Presbyterian Church of Schenectady, N.Y.

While in Shell, where education was only available in the local Ecuadorian primary school, the Fullers sent their children to Quito to study at the Alliance Academy (K-12). They lived with "Uncle Dave and Aunt Kay" Landers, now retired in California.

"One cannot think of Liz without thinking of Dr. Fuller and their seven wonderful children, six of whom lived with us for three or more years," Kay explained. "Each child was unique with a mother filled with kindness, love and gratitude for her children…. Ev would often say to us, 'Thank you for not only caring for our children, but loving them also.'"

"Señora Elisabeth," as she was called in Ecuador, was known for her friendliness, kindness and hospitality (the Fuller Guesthouse in Shell was named after them). She enjoyed writing letters, playing the piano, writing poetry, knitting, fishing and throwing paper airplanes. She and Ev also enjoyed their habit of daily devotions that included praying for family and friends listed alphabetically in two 3-by-5-inch card boxes.

"My memories of Liz are from the years after they served in Shell as full-time missionaries," added former Healthcare Division Director Roger Reimer. "But they returned to Ecuador frequently to see the ministries of Shell and Quito as well as see their daughter, Nancy, son-in-law, Billy Boyes, and grandkids in Manta. Ev was always the energized, hard-driving man who was used to action. Liz, on the other hand, was always the quiet hard-working, very conscientious, loving, caring person-always expressing her appreciation to everyone."

When Ev was injured in a serious car accident near Santo Domingo and transferred to Hospital Vozandes-Quito for surgery, dozens of Ecuadorians flocked to the hospital to check on his condition.

"The part that caught my attention then was that Liz was taking down the names and addresses of between 75 and 100 people who were in the hallways," Reimer explains. "They had all heard that Dr. Fuller had been injured, and she wanted to personally thank them for their concern and wanted to send each one of them a thank you card."

Along with their seven children, the Fullers left Ecuador in 1966 and moved to Buena Park, Calif., as Ev opened a private practice in general surgery in Whittier, working there for 14 years.

However, this didn't end the Fullers' involvement in missions. In early 1982 they returned to part-time medical work for nine years. They again served at HCJB Global's hospitals in Ecuador, but they also went on several short-term trips. This included helping the medical staff of the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society's Nazareth Hospital in Israel for 16 months in 1985, 1987 and 1989. Ev assisted with surgeries, working alongside Israeli, Palestinian and Arab doctors.

In 1990 the Fullers settled in Spokane where Ev continued to work part-time in the medical field, nearly until his death in 2010, his wife always by his side.

"Liz was perhaps the most positive person I have ever known," said former HCJB Global President Ron, Cline, now serving as an ambassador with his wife, Barb. "She was always smiling and always had a good word to say about everyone. She was a very hard worker who was willing to do whatever needed to be done-not just as a nurse in the hospital but in every area of her life. In fact, they needed someone who could drive the truck as they hauled dirt to and from the construction site for the original hospital in Shell, and when a driver could not be found, Liz drove the truck. She was an amazing woman!"

"Mom's life can be characterized by a few phrases they might include, a deep and abiding love for Jesus, His Word, her family and her countless friends," concluded her son, Dave. "She was always thoughtful, kind and generous."

In addition to her husband of 66 years, Liz was preceded in death by a son, Larry, and a daughter, Susie. She is survived by four sons, Dave, Dan, Rick and Don, all of Spokane; and a daughter, Nancy Boyes, who lives in Ecuador; plus 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A memorial service is set for 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, at First Presbyterian Church in Spokane.

Sources: HCJB Global, Dave Fuller, The Spokane Spokesman-Review