A widower has donated £1,000 in memory of the wife he knew for nearly 90 years and who spent decades helping people in the district’s hospital.
Trevor Dennis last week presented the cheque to the Friends of Johnson Hospital to commemorate his wife Maureen.
The couple grew up together in Moulton Chapel, and then married in 1954 in St James’ Church.
After growing up as friends they were married for 77 years until Maureen’s death in 2021.
She became a nurse aged 16, just months after the NHS was established in 1948.
After initially training in Surrey she took up a place at The Johnson Hospital, then sited in Priory Road.
To mark Maureen’s contribution to healthcare, her family made a donation to the charity that helps provide equipment needed to the hospital.
They’ve already donated Maureen’s handwritten notes of her training which are set to go on display in the foyer of the current hospital on Spalding.
“It gives a fascinating glimpse into the medical knowledge, the nursing techniques and the academic demands placed on students at that time,” a spokesman for the Friends said. “One notable entry reflects the nascent understanding of medical treatments at the time, with a note on adrenaline stating, ‘we’re not sure what it does’.
“The notebooks mark Maureen’s significant contribution to the nursing profession.
“Maureen, remembered for her dedication to nursing and her impactful career, left a legacy that continues to inspire the hospital community. Her family’s generous donations are a tribute to her memory and a testament to her passion for healthcare.”
Trevor and Maureen’s daughter Jacqui Woods and son Jeremy were also in attendance as the cheque was handed over.
Trevor said: “Maureen loved being a nurse, and we thought it fitting that the Johnson should have these books so that people might see them and hopefully nurses might enjoy learning about someone who was really one of the pioneers of modern nursing.
“Maureen devoted herself to the profession and the patients she served.
“We are immensely proud of her.”
Jacqui added: “Dad is a very generous person, and it is so typical of his pride in Mum and his kindness that he wants to donate a cheque to the Friends of Johnson Community Hospital.”
Among those accepting the cheque on behalf of the Friends of Johnson Hospital was former nurse Pauline Start, who also spoke about her career in nursing and who worked out at the presentation she was a distant cousin of Trevor’s.
The charity is now looking to purchase a new specialist trolley to transport records which looks set to have a plaque commemorating Maureen on it.
Chair of the Friends of Johnson Hospital Steve Weatherly-Barton said: “The funds will be spent wisely and will go towards purchasing something special for the hospital, ensuring that Maureen’s legacy continues to benefit both staff and patients.”
