MURRAY, KY - The staff at Murray-Calloway County Hospital honored retiring Glenda Duffy at a reception Friday. Duffy spent her entire 43-year career at MCCH, first as a Nurse’s Assistant for 19 years and then as a Unit Secretary for nearly 24. After a retirement tea held at MCCH, Duffy picked up her gifts, walked to the time clock and clocked out for the last time before retirement.

But she’s already been back- on Monday morning.

Duffy is the type of person who just can’t say goodbye and will spend two days a week of her retirement back working at MCCH. As hugs were exchanged and gifts given, the phrase “Happy retirement! See you Monday!” could be heard more than once.

Everyone was glad that the energetic, enthusiastic and perky woman of the hour wasn’t completely leaving MCCH. In fact, one gift-giver brought a pink smock with Duffy’s name on it, the same as the MCCH volunteers wear, which brought a laugh and smile. Another brought a large scrapbook filled with memories of her years at MCCH- but with room for more to be added.

Duffy touched the lives of many of the employees and patients at MCCH, as evidenced by some of the personal stories and even gifts that were brought. When MCCH employee David Holt proposed to his girlfriend, Duffy asked whether she was getting a ring too. Sure enough, Holt and his wife dropped by the reception with a fancy piece of costume jewelry so Duffy could have her ring.

Dana Bazzell, Director of Perinatal Care, told of how she first met Duffy in 1972 when Bazzell’s 9 month-old son had pneumonia. As he was fidgeting in his mist tent, he managed to reach out and snag a handful of Duffy’s hair- only it wasn’t her natural hair and he came to be in sudden possession of a whole wig of hair! After the initial shock, Duffy and Bazzell shared a laugh and cemented a friendship that would continue as they became co-workers.

While she may be coming back in to MCCH for a few hours each week to work, Duffy said she plans on making the most of her retirement. She’ll spend time with her friends from church as well as her family, and said she’ll do a lot of relaxing. After 43 years at MCCH, many will say she has definitely earned it.