Woman retires from hospital after five decades of service
Having worked for nearly five decades in the physio department at the All Hallows Healthcare Trust, Doreen Howes has retired from working. Picture: Donna Oakins - Credit: Archant
A woman who dedicated her working life to helping those with disability and illness has retired after a 47-year career.
Doreen began her career at All Hallows at the age of 16 after developing an interest and love for the hospital whilst attaining her girl guides badges at the site. Picture: Courtesy of Donna Oakins - Credit: Archant
Doreen Howes worked for nearly five decades in the physiotherapy department at the All Hallows Healthcare Trust, which is based on Station Road in Ditchingham.
But her connection with the trust goes much deeper than her years spent working there.
Mrs Howes was actually born at All Hallows Hospital during a point in time when it was the norm for mothers from surrounding villages to give birth at the hospital.
Then, at the age of just 16, she began her career at All Hallows after an interest and love for the hospital blossomed whilst attaining her girl guides badges at the site.
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It was during these early years, when babies were born and cared for at the hospital, that Mrs Howes developed some of her fondest memories from her time with All Hallows.
In fact, working at the hospital was already a family affair, to say the least; Mrs Howes’ parents were employed by the trust and the majority of her family have worked there at one point or another.
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“Doreen’s story with All Hallows is quite amazing and her family roots are firmly set in the history of the Hospital,” said Donna Oakins, PR and media coordinator for the trust.
“It is very rare that one person can have so many connections and such a commitment to the Ttust, which is what makes her career so unique.
“We wish Doreen a wonderful retirement and the absolute best for the future. We would like to thank her for her never-ending kindness, professionalism and unquestionable loyalty to the trust.”
Pat Blakeburn, former chairman of the friends of the trust, added: “Doreen is a wealth of information on All Hallows having worked there for so many years, and has a whole store of wonderful stories to tell.
“She has been a monumental credit to the trust and was always involved with raising money with other staff friends.
“I’m very certain all her work and kindness has been very much appreciated.”
