Sunlight reflects on the stained glass, illuminating a swan swimming on a deep blue lake amid lilly pads.
The scene represents the serenity sought by those who survived the terror of Sept. 20, 1991, at Alta View Women's Center.Nurse Susan Woolley, who watched as Karla Roth was shot in the back by Richard Worthington during that night of rage, wept as Roth's husband spoke Wednesday afternoon to an intimate crowd honoring Karla's selfless life.
Recognizing "Karla's ultimate sacrifice" in a quiet ceremony, the hospital staff dedicated the stained- glass window to the nurse who gave her life to spare others.
"Karla will always be very much a part of this hospital because of her courage in the face of danger and her willingness to protect our patients and staff from harm," Wes Thompson, associate Alta View Hospital administrator, told family and friends.
The memorial was called a "celebration of life." It was a time for healing.
Two guitarists strummed a few country songs - music that Karla and David had danced to during their courtship. Cards of remembrance from colleagues and friends surrounded the hospital room. Charlee, the Roth's 20-month-old daughter, whimpered until her dad held her as he spoke from the lectern about his wife. The three other children, Kelsey, Kaycee and Kristopher, listened quietly.
"Karla was not afraid to die," said Roth. "I believe what she did that night saved others' lives and made Richard Worthington think about not pulling the trigger one more time or setting off a bomb. She died for a reason."
He described his wife's love for nursing, an occupation she had worked hard to achieve. Every night after returning from her shift at the hospital, she would share with him the thrill of assisting with the birth of a child. She died doing what she does best - "loving and protecting babies," he said.
When he first heard about his wife's death, he wasn't surprised that she had died trying to wrestle the gun away from Worthington. Earlier in her life, she had saved her brother's life by striking a gun from a kidnapper's hand.
He thanked the hospital staff for helping him during the ordeal. "They pulled me through tough times. It's a miracle I survived." And he expressed gratitude for the stained glass window memorializing his wife.
The swan on the colorful window will remind him of the swans on their wedding cake.
"I hope we can all come to terms with Karla's death and go on. But it's still really hard," he said.
Looking at their daughter Charlee, Roth said, "I just wish she could be here to see this little one."
Roth's sister, Kathy, described the vitality for life that had characterized Karla's life. "She approached everything she did with gusto. She had a million hobbies at one time."
To her, Karla is a heroine.
"Richard Worthington could have killed any of those in the hospital. And they would have suffered the same anguish we have. But Karla saved them," she said.
"I just can't believe someone with so much life and energy can be gone."