April Mae (Ripple) Chmielinski, GNU’94, a lecturer in biobehavioral and health sciences in Penn Nursing, died unexpectedly on July 27. She was 60. 

Born in Hesse, Germany, Ms. Chmielinski graduated from Central Bucks West High School in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. She went on to earn a BS in nursing from Bloomsburg University and a master’s degree from Penn Nursing. In 1988, Ms. Chmielinski joined the U.S. Air Force, where she served until her 2008 retirement with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While in the Air Force, she joined the staff of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1991. In 2002, she also joined the faculty of Penn’s School of Nursing as a clinical lecturer in biobehavioral and health sciences. She would continue to hold this position off and on for the rest of her life. 

“April was known for her boundless kindness, compassion, and generosity,” said Ms. Chmielinski’s family. “She touched many lives and left behind a large circle of friends, colleagues, and loved ones who will miss her dearly.”

She is survived by her children, Jacqueline Chmielinski, Christina Chmielinski (Frankie), and Stephen Chmielinski (Emi); her sister, Eva Stein (Thomas); her granddaughter, Vanessa; and her goddaughters, Jacqueline and Debbie Coleman. 

The family requests that donations be made to the April Chmielinski Memorial Fund at the University of Pennsylvania. Donations can be made online at RememberingApril or checks may be made payable to “Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania,” with a note indicating the gift is in memory of April Chmielinski, and mailed to Penn Medicine Development, Attention: Mike Hugel, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.