Thirteen retired nurses and independent-living residents at The Springs at Clackamas Woods gathered on May 6 to celebrate National Nurses Day. Between them, they've logged 409 years of service.
Clackamas Woods resident Bea Kibutz, who worked most of her 39 years as a nurse in an alcohol post-treatment center, conceived of the idea for an event a few years ago.
"We just felt it was time to be recognized," Kibutz said. "We're proud of what we did."
She recruited her neighbor Claire Howe, whose 36-year nursing career was mainly working in obstetrics and gynecology, to help her with the event, knowing there were other retired nurses at the community. They were floored how many also have nursing backgrounds.
"I am just so blessed for all the years I did in nursing, and then to come here to The Springs and find out there are 13 of us," Howe said. "Even though our backgrounds are unrelated, how we have all banded together — I am grateful for all my experiences with everyone here."
The group decorated a table filled with memorabilia that included items from photos to newspaper clippings to a nurse's cape. The group shared their experiences over coffee and cookies.
"It's nice to be here among kindred spirits," said resident Dee Addington.
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