05 Nov 2024 Double the impact: Twin sisters dedicated to caring for Conway
Being of service to their community is as much a part of their DNA as being a twin for two Conway sisters.
Marilyn Dail, RN, was recently named the Conway Area Healthcare Forum 2024 Nurse of the Year. “Conway is my hometown and is near and dear to my heart. The best thing about being a nurse at Conway Regional is I get to see and take care of people that I see around town. I love to care for our community.”
Marilyn received this honor in recognition of her dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment to patient care at Conway Regional Health System. Marilyn has turned her compassion into a 36-year career in nursing. Her twin sister, Jacqueline Kordsmeier, has been the face of the St. Joseph School Endowment for 21 years as the executive director.
Their roots run deep in an extended family at St. Joseph that dates to the 1880s. The sisters have a large, close-knit community that they care for in several ways.
“We were taught at an early age to care for our great aunts and great uncles,” said Jacqueline.
“It’s part of our Christian values; part of serving God is serving others,” added Marilyn.
Marilyn credits time spent caring for her great-aunt Alma for influencing her decision to become a nurse. Their mother, Rose Enderlin, was also a nurse until she retired to care for the family. Later in life, she became a volunteer at Conway Cradle Care.
“Conway Regional is one avenue where I care for the community,” Marilyn said. “I also volunteer for the St. Joseph Flea Market, which provides economical clothes, linens, housewares and other items for community members who cannot afford to buy at full price.” Both sisters also volunteer for other charitable organizations such as Bethlehem House, Catholic Campus Ministries and St. Joseph Christian Ladies ministry.
Best Friends
While the twins share a love for the community, DNA doesn’t determine everything.
“I’m much louder than she is,” quipped Jacqueline, who serves in a public-facing role with St. Joseph School. Marilyn is highly respected by her coworkers at Conway Regional as a quiet nurse who leads by example.
“The best part about being a twin is ‘having a best friend,’” Jacqueline said. Neither can recall a disagreement.
“The challenging part is when people get you confused,” Jacqueline said, thinking of her hospital visits. “People say, ‘What’s wrong with Marilyn today? She didn’t talk to me.’”
“We try to just go with the flow,” said Marilyn, “but people tend to think you are rude when you don’t recognize them.”
Settling in Conway
The sisters’ story is interwoven with the history of Conway, dating back to their great-grandfather Amos Enderlin, the first in their family to settle in the area. The Enderlin family originated from Alsace-Lorraine, a region in Western Europe, and was among the Roman Catholic families that fled to America in the 1870s. This exodus led to the establishment of the St. Joseph Colony in Conway in 1878, and today, the descendants of these early settlers continue to form the backbone of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
“St. Joseph Church and School is one big family I love being a part of,” Marilyn said. “We love serving the Conway community.”
“Marilyn’s dedication to both her profession and her community exemplifies the values of Conway Regional Health System: providing exceptional care and fostering a sense of community,” said Amanda Irby, RN, Conway Regional’s chief nursing officer. “Her story is a testament to how deep-rooted family traditions and a commitment to service can shape a fulfilling career dedicated to helping others.”
