COLUMBUS — Wynola Wayne retired from her nursing career after 58 years of service. During her retirement send-off, she received a five-minute standing ovation, and Marco Houpe escorted her out of the building.

Wayne had been a nurse in training when she worked in the burn unit at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. In 1965, Houpe was treated at the hospital after sustaining third-degree burns over 85% of his body at 15 months old. The burns occurred when a Christmas tree caught fire at his grandmother's house.

Houpe said, "On the way to the hospital, I died twice. ... They didn't expect me to make it." Wayne remembered feeling a connection with him at the time. She said, "And there was such a feeling of connection with him. And even though those burns were extensive, I said, 'You're going to survive.' Because I could see it in his eyes."

Houpe said his parents credited Wayne with saving his life. He said, "My parents used to tell me about this nurse. In the morning, she was there. In the evening, she was there. At night, she was there." Houpe added, "If it wasn't for her then, I wouldn't be here today."

Wayne later named her son after Houpe. Houpe currently works as a school administrator and coach. He is married to Tiffany, and they have two children.

As Wayne completed her final day, Houpe said to her, "You're an angel. You're an angel."