Few people can say they retired from the same job in which they started 45 years previously.
Loyal NHS employee Katrina (Tina) Gray, who finished working at Johnson Community Hospital on Wednesday (Nov 30), is one such person.
However, although she started and finished in the same role, Tina (62) held other roles inbetween as well as taking a break while her and husband Peter’s children were young.
But it was as a medical secretary which she spent much of her time – working in a team of four managing the work and administration of visiting consultants and doctors.
Tina, of Spalding, said: “I’ve made lifelong friendships through work.
“I think it’s been a lovely, friendly team that I have always worked with, both in adminstration and nurses.”
She took up the role in 1971 at the Johnson Hospital in Priory Road, Spalding. Then in 1980 when eldest son Lawrence (36) was born, Tina began a five-year career break which included the birth of Charles, now 34.
She returned to work in 1985 with two part-time roles – in speech therapy at Holland Road Clinic and in the radiology department at the Johnson.
Later returning to the role of medical secretary, Tina recalls vividly the sadness which greeted the closure of the hospital’s acute and maternity wards.
“It was quite momentous for the town to see all that closed,” she said. “I still remember the days when they closed – but then we gained a beautiful new hospital.”
Next March, Tina is due to attend a long-service awards ceremony in Boston, at which she will be acknowledged for her 40 years’ service.
During a retirement presentation on her final day at work, she was presented with a John Lewis voucher, Champagne, coffee cups, flowers and “lots of cards with lovely wishes”.
Tina is a member and past chairman of Spalding Flower Lovers’ Club and will also enjoy spending more time with her family and doing yoga and keep fit at The Fitness Centre in Spring Gardens.
Peter (66) is semi-retired, doing three days a week as a facade consultant.
