In the course of researching old issues of this paper's predecessor, the Attleboro Sun, I came across the following from the copy from the May 1, 1970 edition. This story caught my eye for several reasons; it concerns an awards ceremony held at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, where I spent quite a bit of time in my youth since my late mother was night supervising registered nurse for many years. In fact, she also received a service award at these ceremonies, and nearly all names mentioned in the list of recipients are familiar as lifelong friends and wonderful people. So many of them are gone now, but anyone with knowledge of our hospital of a half-century past will surely recall a good number of them as friends as well.
Sturdy Memorial Hospital honored 48 employees in the annual recognition tea held yesterday in the Rice-Webb Auditorium where Philip F. Leach, chairman of the board of managers, and Henry Veldman, hospital director, made the presentations. The department heads and all employees were guests. Those receiving awards were also presented with corsages and boutonnieres.
A 25-year pin was awarded Mrs. Elsie Verry of the business office, formerly the admitting officer of the hospital. Mrs. Verry is a resident of Attleboro.
Recognition pins denoting 20 years of service were presented to four registered nurses. Mrs. Eleanor Deegan, Mrs. Marion Handren and Mrs. Margaret McAvoy of Attleboro and Mrs. Rhea McRae of Mansfield.
Those receiving 15-year pins were: Mrs. Vera Cardin, R.N., Mrs. Frances McKenzie, R.N., Mrs. Rita Oliver, R.N. and Mrs. Mary Coogan, R.N., Mr. Charles Henning of Attleboro, and Raymond Leca of Pawtucket.
The following employees received 10-year pins: Mrs. Olive Ames, R.N., and Mrs. Bessie O'Brien of North Attleboro, Mrs. Frances Peets, R.N. of South Attleboro and Mrs. Mary Read, Mrs. Alida Sequin, Henry Willis, Kenneth Witherell, Mrs. Loretta Caouette, R.N. and Mrs. Lillian Payette, R.N., of Attleboro.
Twenty-eight employees received pins for five years of service: from Attleboro - Mrs. Edith Layton, R.N., Mrs. Mary Pinocci, R.N., Mrs. Shirley Place, R.N., Mrs. Eleanor Young, R.N., Mrs. Annie Dupee, L.P.N., Mrs. Cesina Mayers, L.P. N., Mrs. Catherine Smith, Mrs. Evelyn Bandilli and Mrs. Gertrude Weber; from North Attleboro - Mrs. Lillian Crown, Mrs. Judith Griswold, Mrs. Elaine Washburn, Mrs. Marian Wall, Mrs. Eileen Adinolfi, Gordon Langille and Miss Ann Lester, R.N.: from South Attleboro - Mrs. Mary Jane Jenson, R.N. and Mrs. Ethel Thompson, L.P. N.; From Plainville - Mrs. Roberta Nelson, L.P.N.: from Mansfield - Mrs. Dorothy Buswell, Mrs. Mamie Wiese, R.N., and Miss Mary Reed, L.P.N.; from Norton - Mrs. Effie Gorman and Mrs. Mary Jennings: from Seekonk - Mrs. Ellen Bliss; from Taunton - Mrs. Pauline LeGrow, R.N.; also Thomas Hemmings of Cranston and Mrs. Carolyn Floyd, L.P.N., from Lincoln.
It's been a spell, so it surely warms the old heart to run into such good old friends as Tommy Raposa, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Harrison, Tony and Mae Gowen (who confided that they're still unsure just how an otherwise fine young man like their son Steve could grow up into a Yankees fan; note to Steve: Heaven hates a front-runner!) and last but certainly not least, that ever- personable representative of the Ould Sod and a friend of many years, Kevin Lawless - Athenry's loss was Attleboro's gain.
Much sadder to say is the venue for this reunion - Duffy- Poule Funeral Home, where we were gathered to pay respects to the memory of Judith Buchanan, the dear late wife of our good friend, John "Bucky" Buchanan and mother of Jim Buchanan; John and Judy were also the bereaved parents of the late Mark Buchanan. Our prayers and sympathy are with these good friends...
Best wishes for a continuing recovery to Tony Rebelo, Don and Iris O'Brien, Edna Mitchell, Dave Weeman and Ruth Johnson, that "ol' reliable" at the City Hall information desk.
Friends, employ any analogy you may prefer regarding Sun Chronicle columnist Larry Kessler and elder daughter Arianna touring the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.: Happy as a - clam at high tide, a pig in the mud, as a gobbler the day after Thanksgiving, a Sox fan in October 2004. For those who haven't noticed by his columns, Larry has something of an obsession with the national pastime in general and the "Old Towne Team" in particular, and he is apparently infecting daughters Arianna and Alana as well.
Let's try to be good to one another out there and do someone a good turn daily; please keep the less fortunate in mind, the hungry and the homeless - I'm afraid their numbers increase daily. Try to spare some time to be proactive at monitoring the legislation and the more subtle propaganda which is changing our beloved nation more and more every day. Peace...
