Dr. Lucille Lombardi Travis, PhD, RN, NE-BC

Dr. Lucille Lombardi Travis, age 79, a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, friend, educator, and respected nurse scholar, passed away on April 28, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She lived a life defined by purpose, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others. Lucille was a Professor of Nursing at several universities throughout her career, where she dedicated herself to advancing nursing education, mentoring future leaders, and conducting meaningful research. A proud graduate of The Ohio State University, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing Education with a focus in Medical Surgical Nursing, and a Doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration. She was also certified in Nursing Administration by American Nurses Credential. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Travis was known for her brilliance, integrity, and steady leadership. She was a woman whose presence, purpose, and passion left an enduring mark on all who knew her. She specialized in nursing informatics, organizational development, and heart failure research, using technology as an intervention to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions. She authored numerous publications, secured research grants, and presented her work nationally and internationally. She was honored as an HBO & Company Informatics Nurse Scholar, a national recognition for excellence and leadership in nursing informatics and healthcare technology. She set high standards to inspire. Lucille believed deeply in people, often seeing potential in them before they saw it in themselves. Many careers and lives are better because she took the time to guide, mentor, and encourage. Yet, to those who knew her best, Lucille was far more than her professional achievements. Lucille was a passionate fan of Ohio State Buckeyes football and attended many home games to cheer them on! Lucille was also an avid Corvette owner and car enthusiast who enjoyed the excitement of searching for cars and negotiating prices, especially when helping family members find the right vehicle. Her greatest joy, however, was her family. When her daughter wanted to play sports and no girls’ teams were available, Lucille placed an ad in the Northland News to form a team so her daughter and son could play baseball together. She went on to coach her children’s baseball and soccer teams, instilling confidence, teamwork, and a love of the games. That same dedication continued with her grandchildren, as she was a constant and enthusiastic presence at their sporting events, rarely missing a game and always cheering from the sidelines. Lucille also loved the granddogs in her life and cherished every opportunity to be with them. Her daughter would often fly to North Carolina with her dog so Lucille could spend time cuddling and enjoying their visits. Lucille is survived by her children, Cheryl (Mark) and Jeff (Rachel); her grandchildren, Kaley and Camden; her siblings, Gloria and Robert (Heidi); and many extended family members, dear friends, her late best friend and fellow nurse Jan Hennick, and colleagues whose lives were deeply enriched by her presence. She was preceded in death by her father, Vincent A.; her mother, Dena (nee Vastola); and her brother, Richard. Lucille was a source of strength and wisdom to her family and friends. She was generous with her time, her insight, and her love. She had a way of making people feel seen and valued through a thoughtful word, a meaningful conversation, and her steady, attentive presence. Her relationships were built on trust, loyalty, and genuine care, and her warmth and sense of humor brought joy to those around her. Lucille’s legacy is one of impact, found in the students she guided, the patients she helped, the colleagues she inspired, and the family she adored. She believed in showing up fully for others, doing what was right, and living with integrity. Her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped, the family she cherished, and the love she gave so freely. In honor of Lucille’s life and passion for nursing education and mentorship, a School of Nursing Excellence Fund has been established in her memory with the help of her dear friend Dr. Sonya Hardin. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations may be made directly to the fund using the provided QR code or link. A private family viewing will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Rutherford Funeral Home, 515 N. High St., Worthington, Ohio 43085. Interment will take place on Thursday May 7, 2026, at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland, Ohio, where she will be laid to rest near her parents. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com Donation Link https://give.uthscsa.edu/campaigns/62374/donations/new?in_memory_of=Lucille Lombardi Travis&designation=a1SRo000001a5X0MAI&a=13282207 QR Code under Photos Tab

Dr. Lucille Lombardi Travis, PhD, RN, NE-BC

July 25, 1946 - April 28, 2026