Family, friends and colleagues gather to mark Mary’s retirement
FAMILY, friends and colleagues of wellknown and highly respected public health nurse Mary Howard gathered at Mallow’s Springfort Hall Hotel recently for a function to mark her retirement.
Mrs Howard, her husband Donie, sons David and Michael and their partners Suzanne and Carrie were welcomed to the function by Mary O’Flynn, Director of Public Health Nursing for the North Cork region.
She also welcomed a number of Mrs Howard’s colleagues from all stages of her career, each of whom paid tribute to her character and acknowledged her professionalism and dedication.
Having completed her General and Midwifery education at St Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork in 1977, Mary Howard went on to work at the then Cork Regional Hospital for more than a decade. In the summer of 1990 she worked at Mallow General Hospital and two years later started at the North Cork Planned Essential Nursing weekend service until 1998.
Initially working as a relief Public Health Nurse (PHN) from 1995, she was appointed to the role full-time for the Kanturk area in 2001. From February 2015 she worked as PHN to asylum seekers at the Reception Centre in Drishane up until her retirement.
Commencing proceedings on the night Mary O’Flynn thanked the large group for taking the time to attend and the many more who were unable to come to the event but did send on their good luck wishes.
“I have known Mary Howard since the 1970s in St Finbarr’s Hospital. She always proved herself to be calm, diligent, considered, pleasant, hard-working and a good colleague,” said Ms O’Flynn.
“Mary has always been efficient, caring and conscientious and a pleasure to work with. It is wonderful to be able to share this night together in celebration of Mary and her career,” she added.
Ms O’Flynn concluded by thanking all those who helped organise the event before wishing Mary Howard all the very best for the future and “every health, happiness, fulfilment and a long and happy retirement’.
Mrs Howard responded by thanking all those present and absent friends and colleagues for their wood wishes and presents before charming the crowd with her singing.
Following dinner a great evening of ‘craic agus ceoil’ brought proceedings to a rousing conclusion.