After 27 years at Vaughan Regional Medical Center (VRMC), Mary Ann Norris completed her final day at the hospital on Wednesday.

Norris, at 80 years old, has worked well over retirement age, but she started her nursing career a little later than many of the nurses at VRMC – or any hospital for that matter.

When Norris was 46, her husband, Gene, unexpectedly passed away due to a heart attack at 50.

“He grabbed my hand and then he was gone,” said Norris.

Four years later, Norris experienced the moment that led her to become a nurse.

“The Lord just led me to a little ad in the Selma Times-Journal,” she said.

The ad was a promotion for the nursing program at Wallace Community College – Selma, After seeing it, Norris knew that being a nurse was the next step for her.
“I said, ‘I think I’m going to be a nurse,’” said Norris.

After earning her certification, Norris got right to work at VRMC.

Nearly three decades later, Norris is ready to retire.

“It’s been a ride,” she said “It’s time to go home.”

Norris, a lifelong resident of the Sardis community, plans to spend her retirement working in her yard and spending time with her family.

“We’re a tight-knit group,” she said.

Both of Norris’ sons Clint and Chet were both very supportive of her decision to go to school and become a nurse 30 years ago.

When Norris began working at VRMC, her youngest son, Clint, joked, “If you’re going to be there, I’m not going.”

Norris says that after 27 years at the hospital, the thing she’ll miss most is the people.

“Everyone here has been wonderful,” she said.

Norris’ fellow coworkers said they’d miss her presence at the hospital every day.

“You couldn’t work with a better person,” said Janice Sims, who has been at the VRMC for 10 years.

Pat Davis, another fellow nurse at VRMC, added that despite her age, Norris has showed no signs of slowing down.

“She runs circles around us,” she said.

Before leaving, Norris had a few words of advice to share with younger nurses.

“Stick with it,” she said. “It’s hard but it’s rewarding.”