Nancy Lea Eleuterius

Nancy L. Eleuterius We ask you to join us in celebrating the extraordinary life of Nancy L. Eleuterius. On September 24, 2011, at the age of 68, Nancy was raised to heaven by the love and prayers of her family and friends. Nancy was born in Biloxi, MS on August 19, 1943. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School class of 1961 and relocated to Virginia in 1970. Nancy began her career as a registration clerk in the emergency room at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, Va.. With her incredible mind for business and management, she was recruited by Norfolk General Hospital in 1980, as the director of administrative services. In 1986 she became the director of operations for First Step, a partnership of Norfolk General Hospital and Eastern Virginia Medical School that was the first managed care contract in the nation. She was then promoted as the President of Sentara Mental Health Management and ended her illustrious career as President and CEO of Sentara Behavioral Health Services. Throughout her career her superior leadership was acknowledged by many professional organizations such as; Marquis Who’s Who in the South Southwest 1986-1987, Marquis Who’s Who of American Women 1995-1996, and contributing author to various professional journals. Nancy was on the Board of Directors of the local unit of the American Cancer Society 1979-1980, Jackson Field Homes 1991-1993, Va. Beach Health Clinic 1991-1993, Community Alliance Drug Rehab and Education 1991. She was named Outstanding Dept. Head for Norfolk General Hospital 1983, recipient Dept. Head Leadership Award 1984. She was a member of the National Association Hospital Admitting Managers, a board member of the Coronado School for Girls, and the Jackson Field House. She was a member of the American Management (accredited; regional facilitator 1984, regional rep. to the education committee 1983), Tidewater Assn. Hospital Admitting Mangers (President, Founder 1979, Board of Directors 1979, Vice-President 1981), Virginia Hospital Association (Principal speaker 1980), and the American Hospital Association, Norfolk General Hospital. Among her many gifts to our society, Nancy was a member of St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, Va., was selected as Woman of the Year for Norfolk and Virginia Beach in 2001, and a relentless volunteer for Catholic Charities. Nancy was predeceased by her loving parents, mother, Viola “Tubby” Eleuterius, her father, Leo Eleuterius, Sr. and her beloved sister Darnell Eleuterius. She is survived by her cherished and devoted daughters; Deborah Cefalu Montiforte, her husband Kurt, and their children Kory and Kyle, and Cindy Cefalu Walker, her husband Peter and their children Emma, Nathan and Cameron. She is also survived by her aunt Mary Eleuterius, brothers Leo Eleuterius Jr. and his wife Bonnie; Greg Eleuterius and his wife Beth; and sister Martha Montiforte as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones, both in Biloxi and Virginia. We will be celebrating her life at St. Michael's Catholic Church in East Biloxi on Thursday, September 29, 2011 with a visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m., a rosary at 12:30 p.m. and mass at 1:00 p.m. Flowers may be sent to the Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Ave in Biloxi Ms. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to St. Michaels Catholic Church in East Beach Biloxi, Mississippi.