She was the guest of honor, yet Gladys Jones kept getting up from her seat, asking others if they needed anything. “Forty-three years of serving children, and at her own luncheon, she’s still serving others,” said William C. Giermak, CEO of St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children.
Gladys joined St. Mary’s Home as a certified nursing assistant on June 2, 1966, soon after graduating from high school. Today, exactly 43 years later, staff — and many of her family members — gathered to honor Gladys as she retires.
Gladys is known for her kindness, cheerfulness and determination. She “set the tone with her love and care and devotion for all the children,” said Hazel Lane, St. Mary’s purchasing manager. “She made me understand what St. Mary’s does.”
Gladys came to St. Mary’s Home because she loved children and always wanted to be around them. She saw SMHDC’s population evolve from children with mild disabilities to the children and young adults with severe disabilities who live here today.
“I’m going to miss every one of you all, especially the children,” Gladys said during her luncheon.
And everyone at St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children is going to miss Gladys.