Amy D. Gillespie

Amy Denise Gillespie (Shutt) was born April 9, 1956 in Colorado Springs, Colorado to loving parents, John C. Shutt and Jane Mitchell. She completed her earthly journey and departed to be with her Lord on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at the age of 66.

Amy was nothing short of an extraordinary woman. She was monumental in the women’s health field, becoming the first civilian midwife at Brooke Army Medical Center, and helping grow that to an entire team of midwives on staff. Amy was an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) for many years, and after earning her MSN, became a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) and Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), always with the same goal in mind – providing comfort and care for new mothers. She was constantly advocating for women’s health and the professional rights of WHNPs and CNMs, and was active in a number of professional organizations, including: ACNM, AWHONN, ACOG, Texas Nurse Practitioners, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and San Antonio Nurses in Advanced Practice. Moreover, she set a stellar example for her daughters (and their friends), showing them that you can have, and do it all – having a successful career AND a family are not mutually exclusive.

Amy was a devout Catholic her entire life and was very involved in her church. She was a Eucharistic Minister and Lector at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church and had been for many years. In addition, she served as President of the San Antonio Aggie Moms Club from 2007-2008. Amy also enjoyed quilting, collecting dolls and music boxes.

Amy is preceded in death by both parents, as well as her stepmother Virginia Shutt, her brother Robert Shutt and her daughter Amber Gillespie. Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of over 43 years, Dwight Gillespie, daughter Jennifer Franz (husband Ricky), granddaughter Kenna Franz, her sister Lisa Venner, and her fur-baby Rusti.

Amy leaves behind a life and legacy that will not soon be forgotten. The lasting impression she made on so many lives far exceed what she was likely aware of and will live on through the many mothers she helped, the babies she delivered, and the nurses she educated. She will be missed dearly by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her.

Rosary will be held at Meadowlawn Funeral Home, 5611 E. Houston, San Antonio TX, on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 7pm. The mass of the resurrection will take place on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 10am, at St Matthew’s Catholic Church, located at 10703 Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio TX.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her memory to either: the University of New Mexico College of Nursing Advanced Practice Nursing Scholarship (https://hsc.unm.edu/nursing/alumni-giving/donate/funds.html) or the A.C.N.M. Foundation (https://www.midwife.org/ACNM-Foundation).