A nurse has finally been able to celebrate her retirement with her colleagues, some 18 months after lockdown put the traditional ward celebration on hold.
65-year-old ex-nurse Marian Fleming, from Marton-in-Cleveland, was getting ready to celebrate her retirement with a gathering of her ward work mates when the first lockdown of 2020 was imposed.
The 46-year veteran had to embark on her retirement without being able to properly say ‘goodbye’ to those she had served with for so long.
But today (12 November 2021) she made a welcome return to the medical rehabilitation day unit at the University Hospital of North Tees. Her colleagues presented her with flowers gifts and a slice of cake as she said a final goodbye to her friends.
Marian said: “Coming to work is such an important part of your life. And it was sad not to be able to celebrate that when I retired last year.
“Coming back today to see everyone and finally say a proper goodbye puts a line under it for now.”
Marian began her career in 1974 with North Tees General – as the hospital was known at the time – as an enrolled nurse.
She has stayed with the hospital ever since, working in different wards and departments. She eventually found her place with the medical rehabilitation day unit, supporting stroke patients.
“It’s been an honour”
Marian continued: “I have absolutely loved my time here. And even though I have worked all around the hospital, my heart is here in the medical rehabilitation day unit.
“It’s been an honour and a pleasure working here with everyone, from doctors and nurses to porters and domestics.
“There’s not many people who can say they’ve had the privilege of having a job that they adored. But I’m one of them.”
Now that she has finally celebrated her retirement, Marian is looking forward to spending more time with her husband Mac. She plans on visiting her daughter in the US and has even taken it upon herself to learn Spanish.
Marian is a much missed presence in the unit and will continue to be missed by her colleagues.
