Jo Ellen “Jody” Imre, a registered nurse, died of complications from a fall June 5. She lived at the Residences at Vantage Point, a retirement community in Columbia, and was 93.
Born in Elkins, West Virginia, she was the daughter of Dow Varner and Elva Kyle, a homemaker. A 1948 graduate of the old Beverly High School in West Virginia, she moved to Baltimore soon thereafter to live with her sister. She worked at Baltimore’s Montgomery Ward & Co. on Washington Boulevard.
“She arrived in Baltimore with all her belongings in one suitcase. She was a fighter. She was the youngest of seven by 10 years and went on to make a career for herself,” said her son, David Imre.
She graduated in 1951 from the old Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and passed the Maryland Boards to earn her registered nurse license.
She worked as a nurse for the Louisville, Kentucky, American Red Cross and at a polio ward.
“My mother took care of patients in iron lungs. She said it was terrible because there no hope for the patients when they came in. There was no way to keep them alive for a long period of time. She said she lived with memories of the experience — especially the young children — all her life.
“In Louisville, she also experienced racial segregation with her Black coworkers. They were not allowed to eat together at restaurants,” her son said.
In 1952, she became acute care head nurse at Spring Grove State Hospital in Catonsville.
While at Spring Grove, she met future husband, Paul Imre, the chief psychologist.
“They met while having breakfast one morning at the hospital,” her son said.
She was later a Baltimore County Health Department visiting nurse based in Arbutus and Catonsville.
“She identified children who were being being abused while on her home visits,” her son said. “She reported the situation and was later told her actions saved their lives.”
After raising her family, she worked for the Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care, as a flight nurse and for an air ambulance.
After living in Catonsville, she and her husband moved to Columbia and bought a home in Bryant Woods in September 1968.
“My parents found Columbia to be a multi-cultural wonderland. They worked on social service committees and nonprofits. Jim Rouse lived around the corner,” said her son, referring to the the founder of the Rouse Company, who developed Columbia. “My mother wanted a place to raise her family as a fresh start and in a place where everyone was equal.”
She enjoyed musical and theatrical performances at the Merriweather Post Pavilion.
“My mother believed in what was happening and being accomplished in Columbia,” said her son.
She sat on several boards, including community associations and the Residences at Vantage Point.
“Jody was a powerful, caring voice for improving the quality of life for others,” said Virginia Thomas, a former member of the Maryland Legislature and friend. “She made positive suggestions.”
Survivors include two sons, David Imre, of Baltimore, and Robert Imre, of Ellicott City; and three granddaughters. Her husband died in 2009.
Plans for a life celebration are private.
