The Pink Ladies Auxiliary gather for a group photo after their luncheon and several games of bingo. Back row, starting in the corner, left to right: Christine Blanton, Frances Mercer and Mary Colson. Middle row, standing, left to right: Sue Quick, Beth Ward, Betty Sirmon and Mary Lou Surles. Front row, seated, left to right: Doris Cowart, Frances Sanders and Gean McCullough.
By Lynette Norris
The Pink Ladies Auxiliary gather for a group photo after their luncheon and several games of bingo. Back row, starting in the corner, left to right: Christine Blanton, Frances Mercer and Mary Colson. Middle row, standing, left to right: Sue Quick, Beth Ward, Betty Sirmon and Mary Lou Surles. Front row, seated, left to right: Doris Cowart, Frances Sanders and Gean McCullough.
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Last Friday, April 15, Madison County Memorial Hospital honored its long-time core of volunteers, the Pink Ladies Hospital Auxiliary, with a luncheon, poetry from Hospital CEO David Abercrombie, and small gifts of appreciation.
The ladies who gathered in the hospital cafeteria brought over a hundred collective years of experience, said Vicki Howerton, who, together with Susan Yonce, Tammy Stevens (Chief of Operations Officer) and Cindi Burnett (Human Resources Officer) served the luncheon.
Each lady received a pewter pin in the shape of a bonsai tree, while Susan Yonce read the poem attached to each one: “Caring for the bonsai is a commitment that requires time, skill and patience…like the artist, your continuous hard work and attention to detail improve our team and shape our future.”
Most of the ladies present had been hospital volunteers since the early to mid nineties. Betty Sirmon and Frances Mercer had been there the longest, since 1993, but neither lady was quite sure who had started first. The newest member was Beth Ward, who had joined the volunteer corps in either September or October of last year, “and I just got my pink jacket last week,” she said.
Lucile Cherry, who was not available for the photo, is also a Pink Lady. She keeps the books for the Pink Ladies.
Gean McCullough, the historian for the Pink Ladies, remembers when they used to be called the Gray Ladies, and included Rachel Reichmann, Rosalie Russell and Eunice Clark among their numbers. She also spoke of Lifetime Member Mildred Bruner, now living in a nursing home in Tallahassee, who is thought to have started the Pink Ladies, and mentioned honorary members Joy Gensel and Ruby Ulm.
After the luncheon, Susan Yonce called five games of bingo, with prizes of various angel figurines. Winners were: Sue Quick, Doris Cowart, Christine Blanton, Frances Sanders and Beth Ward.
“It’s privilege and a pleasure to work with every one of you,” said Howerton at the conclusion of the event. “I say that from the bottom of our hearts, from the Madison County Hospital Family.”
