Long serving Waimarino Nurse retires

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 49, 26 May 1987, Page 8

Long serving Waimarino Nurse retires

A well-known figure who has walked the corridors of Waimarino Hospital for the last 25 years is soon to retire from nursing. Sister Betty Longcroft started work as a sister at the Hospital at the end of May in 1937. She trained in Auckland for a general nursing degree and once qualified, she crossed the Tasman to Australia. She lived in Australia for 15 years and married there. She and her husband came back to New Zealand in 1962 and settled in Raetihi where Betty's parents lived. Some residents will remember Betty's father, 'Jack' Ennis, who was for a long time the county engineer. Sister Longcroft took over the position of Principal Nurse from Miss Dorothy Cleary about 15 years ago. Her duties have included taking an active part in all facets of hospital work as well as being in charge of adminstration. In the past she has had sole charge of 32 staff. Sister Longcroft said she will be concentrating on care of her garden rather than care of patients when she officially retires this Friday. She said she was surprised that 25 years had passed from the time she first joined the hospital staff and looks forward to an active retirement.