Billie Jean Tender

Billie Jean (Browning) Tender age 78, of Hebron, OH, received her heavenly welcome Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 at OSU Hospital while in the care of Hospice of Central Ohio after complications from surgery. Billie was born February 16, 1942, in Zanesville to the late Esther Thelma (Harding) Browning and the late William Donald Browning. Billie was one of four children that included her twin sister, the late Donna J. (Browning) McKirahan of New Concord, OH, the late Kurt ‘Butch’ L. (Bev) Browning, of Sonora, OH, and Brigadier General (Ret.) Richard A. (Peggy) Browning, of Henderson, NV.

She graduated from Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing in 1963 with her degree in nursing and continued to serve as a nurse for 57 years including positions at Bethesda Hospital in Zanesville, OH., Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark, OH., New Albany Surgical Hospital in New Albany, OH., and with the Carol Strawn Center in Newark, OH. until she finally retired in early 2020. She had a special heart for nursing and those she cared for and was often recognized for her commitment to nursing excellence and her compassion. Throughout her extensive nursing career Billie founded and served as President of The Central Ohio Post-Anesthesia Nurses Association, held positions as President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the American Society of Post-Anesthesia Nurses Association and was a member of both the Ohio Peri-Anesthesia Nurses Association and the American Society of Peri-Anesthesia Nurses. She was also a member of the Bethesda Hospital Alumni Association and former Twig 13 member.

Outside of work, Billie enjoyed floral crafts, volunteering, gardening, and her church choir (the former Cox United Methodist Church in Newark, OH.) She and Fritz enjoyed spending time at their condo in Cancun and trips there with family provided some of her favorite memories. More than anything, she enjoyed spending time at her Buckeye Lake property over the last 38 years where she was Mom and Grandma to family and friends alike. She will be sorely missed every summer by all who enjoyed her generous hospitality and “the more the merrier” approach to life.

She leaves behind her husband of 29 years Francis ‘Fritz” Tender of Hebron, OH., a daughter, Shelli (John) Matiscik of Galena, OH and son, Michael (Shelley) Lowe of Heath, OH. as well as five dearly loved grandchildren; David, Michael, Sydney, Jordan, and Jamie. We would like to thank the many nurses and doctors involved in her care, the members of the Hospice of Central Ohio Nursing Honor Guard, who graciously honored for her 57-year career in nursing, and her family and friends whose outpouring of love and support as she spent her final days here with us provided much-needed comfort and peace during this difficult time.

We will honor her memory with a memorial service at her beloved Buckeye Lake in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of Central Ohio or the American Stroke Association. An online memorial page can be found at www.shaw.davis.com.