Staff of Castlehead Medical Centre gathered to sing songs and eat cake in celebration of long-standing nurse Jane Sharkey, 63, who is retiring after more than 32 years caring for the Keswick community.
When she joined the practice in 1988 she had two young children and now retiring she has two young grandchildren.
“This is the first job I’ve ever had that I’ve loved going to every morning,” said Jane. “I’ll miss all the lovely people. Many of the staff are now good friends, and of course the lovely patients too.”
“It’s going to be weird waking up on Saturday morning. This has been my life for 32-and-a-half years.”
Initially working as a midwife, Jane took on the role after returning from maternity leave to find no midwifery jobs.
Since then, she has seen many changes including the practice’s move from near the war memorial to its current site.
Jane said the practice was her second home and even supported her through a further nursing degree.
At the ceremony, staff sang I Will Survive, with altered lyrics about nursing and Jane.
Her husband Ken is an avid gardener and said he has plenty to keep her busy with over the coming weeks but Jane admitted she was looking forward to not waking up as early any more.
Jane added that she was excited to spend more time with her grandchildren, Amos and Juno, after COVID kept them apart.