But during her 21-year career, she did more than nurse the students at three elementary schools, one middle school and a high school. She also offered counsel and even clothed children and fed their families, according to her husband, George Walters.

Audrey Walters died last month at age 77. Her husband and four children recently established the Audrey Walters Foundation at Godwin Heights Schools to support the work that was so dear to her.

"Audrey would nurse those kids when they were sick, but she did a lot more than that," George Walters said. "When she made home visits to absent children, as she often did, she would assess the conditions, and, when she thought they needed help, she would get it for them."

Help came in the form of clothing for their families, boots, shoes, food, even eyeglasses and dental care.

Audrey would scrounge for clothing at Goodwill and the Salvation Army, and she frequently used unclaimed items in the school's lost-and-found.

She was especially generous during the holidays, gathering names of those who needed extra help, then assembling baskets to provide Christmas dinners for about 25 families.

"She was all about service to others, especially children," said Patrick Murphy, former superintendent who came out of retirement recently to temporarily run the district. "She gave them whatever they needed. ... Then she did holiday baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas so the families could have a celebration.

"She always knew who needed help or just a hug -- it was a way of life for Audrey. That's what we'll miss. It was an honor to know her."

School nursing didn't end with her, but it is different now.

"Schools just can't afford them any more," Murphy said. We miss that."

Grand Rapids Public Schools, for example, has 32 nurses, but shares their cost by partnering with hospitals.

Stephanie Painter, president of the Michigan Association of School Nurses, remembers how Audrey Walters worked.

"She did things like drive around with coats and warm hats in the trunk of her car," said Painter, whose children had Audrey Walters as a school nurse at Godwin. "Whatever kids needed, she had. Audrey was the kind of person we all hope to be."

George Walters and his children, Joseph Walters, of Zurich, Switzerland, Mary Forness, of Ada, and Kathryn Geiger and John Walters, both of Grand Rapids, started the foundation by giving an initial $20,000.

Friends have given an additional $5,000 so far. Funds will be given with the school board's approval.

Family members will continue Audrey's Walters' Christmas tradition as the first act of the foundation.

"We're making up baskets for 25 families. We're doing it for her. She would be very pleased," George Walters said.

The foundation will be formally introduced to Godwin's school board at the Jan. 12 meeting. Foundation rules require the superintendent or a school board designee serve on its board of directors.