RECEIVING HONOR — Follansbee Mayor Scott McMahon reads a Certificate of Recognition from West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, presented in honor of Carmel Esposito during a ceremony Wednesday morning at Wyngate Senior Living Community in Weirton. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — A long-time Brooke County resident has been honored by the state of West Virginia for her dedication to caring for others and service to her community.

Family and friends of Carmel Esposito gathered at Wyngate Senior Living Community in Weirton Wednesday morning, as she was honored with a Certificate of Recognition from the office of Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

Esposito, 92, began her career in nursing in 1954, but continued her education while caring for others, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Liberty University in 1978, a Master of Science in 1988 from West Virginia University and a Doctor of Education Administration in 1993.

“This is so overwhelming,” she said of the recognition, signed by Morrisey and read by Follansbee Mayor Scott McMahon. “I can’t explain what kind of experience it’s been, because it’s been exceptional.”

Esposito further said she doesn’t feel the recognition should just be about her, but also in honor of all nurses in West Virginia and across the country.

LIFE OF SERVICE — Carmel Esposito, seated, holds the Certificate of Recognition awarded to her by Gov. Patrick Morrisey in honor of her lifetime of education and service to others. She is pictured with daughter, Marianne Davis. -- LIFE OF SERVICE — Carmel Esposito, seated, holds the Certificate of Recognition awarded to her by Gov. Patrick Morrisey in honor of her lifetime of education and service to others. She is pictured with daughter, Marianne Davis. -- Craig Howell

Over a 54-year career, Esposito dedicated her life to the care of her patients as both an intensive care and coronary care nurse, and later sharing her knowledge and guidance with future nurses as an instructor at Ohio Valley Hospital and the Trinity Health System. A scholarship award in her name is presented each year to a graduate of the Trinity Health System School of Nursing.

Beyond the hospital setting, she served on the Educational Advisory Committee for the West Virginia Board of Nursing, on the Program Committee for the West Virginia League for Nursing, as a site visitor for the National League of Nursing, as chair of the Red Cross and as an advisory board member for numerous other nursing programs.

“I did not realize my mom did all that,” noted daughter Marianne Davis. “My mom was my mom.”

She was active with the 20th Century Woman’s Club, for which she served as president, as well as the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce, where she was a member of its Education Committee which awards grants each year to local schools for innovative approaches to education.

In 2022, the Follansbee Chamber recognized her with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ashley Nicole Davis, Esposito’s granddaughter-in-law, was the one to reach out to the Governor’s Office about the possibility of honoring her after learning about her career and service to others, explaining she found much of the information online in addition to personal records, including reading Esposito’s doctoral dissertation.

“It was just a Google search,” she said. “She has so many accolades.”

Some of those in attendance noted Esposito seldom looks for credit but always treats people well and is willing to sit and listen, adding she was adored by her students.

McMahon echoed those sentiments, explaining he and others have often sought Esposito’s advice in their own efforts to serve the community.

“Thank you and thank you for all the conversations,” he said.

Esposito recalled the first patient she ever cared for was an individual with polio. At that time, part of the treatment often included putting the patient in a negative pressure ventilator, also known as an iron lung, which used air pressure variations to force breathing for those with respiratory failure or paralysis.

“To think we have come that far,” she said.

Esposito also took time to express appreciation to the staff and residents at Wyngate for their care and friendship.

“I’ve met friends here I never would have met before,” she said.