25 years’ service to the elderly
Amuch-loved employee of 25 years at Riverside Park Home in Pietermaritzburg, will be sorely missed by the staff and residents after deciding to retire at the end of March.
Shirley Horner (nee Woodley), opted to take early retirement due to health related issues.
Horner commenced work at the home in January 1996 as a halfday diversional therapist. Although her title was diversional therapist/ housekeeper, she took on many roles which evolved over time. She took on the portfolio of housekeeper after a few years and started working a full day.
Among other things, she ran the second hand shop, dealt with donations, put up the decor for events and special celebratory days and organised and supervised activities for the residents. She also was a companion to residents who helped on a daily basis in the hobby room and also did manicures and pedicures for the residents.
“I loved working at Riverside and was very happy interacting with the residents,” said Horner, who described Riverside as her ‘second family’.
“Although I have retired, I will visit them often to keep in touch,” she added.
Lesley Birkett, the administration manager, who is also in charge of marketing and social media, said Horner was always polite and happy to help. “She was very patient with all residents, always mindful of their capabilities and interested in their stories. The residents felt they could talk to her; she didn’t rush off to do something else,” said Birkett.
“Although she loved to dress up and dance, she wasn’t one who enjoyed the spot light. She was quietly-spoken, gentle, loved to re-purpose and craft. Even Marmalade (the feisty resident cat) spent her days languishing in the piles of fabric being cut into something by Shirley,” Birkett added.
Horner and her husband, Chris, plan to take things easy in retirement and will spend their leisure time renovating their house with the aim to sell it and downsize to a smaller home.