While many individuals her age embrace a quiet and leisurely retirement, 80-year-old Gertrude “Gertie” Erickson is still going strong as a dedicated volunteer at Norwood Hospital. In a large medical facility employing hundreds of professional staff, Erickson has blossomed into an institution in her own right. Widely known across the campus as the “whistling cashier,” Erickson has spent over 13 years working in the hospital’s coffee shop, transforming a routine spot to grab a sandwich into a warm, welcoming community hub.
“She’s kind of an institution herself,” remarked Kate Hartig, director of volunteer services at Norwood Hospital. “Gertie’s very, very loved by the staff and the volunteers. She’s just a terrific woman… Not much keeps Gertie down.” As spry as she is musical, Erickson considers the hospital community her second family. “The people in the hospital—that’s my biggest family,” Erickson said. “Talking with the people is my favorite part of the job.” Even a history of health challenges, including surviving three heart attacks, has done little to dampen her spirits or halt her service; she continues to maintain her Friday afternoon shift, cutting back her hours only slightly.
Erickson first arrived at Norwood Hospital decades earlier, motivated by profound gratitude for the compassionate medical care provided to her late husband, Albert Erickson, during his treatment there. “They were so wonderful to him,” recalled Erickson, who has resided in Norwood for roughly 30 years. “I decided I would help out in any way I could… There are other hospitals, but they can’t compare with ours.” Though she occasionally jokes about still feeling like a newcomer after three decades in town, her warm disposition and famous coffee shop crabmeat rolls have earned her an abundance of devoted friends among patients, doctors, and nurses alike. (Reporting by Everett A. Tatreau, The Patriot Ledger).
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Hospital Stories
-
Norwood Hospital Expansion Likely to Target Civic Center Site-July 13, 1976
The expansion aims to address the critical need for increased bed capacity, support services, and advanced medical units, as outlined by consulting firm Medicus Planning, Inc.
-
Intersection at Washington & Winter Streets
This intersection has lots going on as far as Norwood History goes. Directly in front of us is the site of Norwood Hospital. Currently, the hospital, which was flooded and damaged in June of 2020, is in the process of being rebuilt with an opening scheduled for spring of 2024. That piece of land was…
-
Winter Street (Walpole St to Lothrop Rich Park)
First Congregational Church. Originally was the site of the impressive house of Edmund Shattuck and his wife Emma Morrill Shattuck who was the daughter of Morrill Ink Works owner George Morrill. Edmund Shattuck managed the Ink Works one of Norwood’s prosperous industries until his death in 1903. At one point in it’s history Morrill Ink…
-
Development of the Guild Square Area
In 1872, when Norwood was established, the Guild Square area had been settled with homes and businesses for well over a hundred years, although much of the area was undeveloped farmland until the mid-1880s. Not too far from here Aaron Guild left his plow in the field, picked up his musket and went to fight…
-
12 Vernon Street – The Joel Metcalf Baker House
Joel M. Baker bought this house lot in 1854 from Joseph Day. It contained about a third of an acre and ran from Washington Street up the hill to Bullard Street. Baker built had local architect/builder, Tyler Thayer construct this Italianate style house in 1855. This house originally sat on the corner of Vernon &…
-
Colonial & Georgian Revival
These “revival” styles became vastly popular at the turn of the century, and were popular from 1880 to 1955. These styles emphasized academic replication of historical styles, most often European in origin. These homes were most often rectangular in form with gabled, hipped, and even on occasion gambrel rooflines. The center entrance was often marked…
-
Norwood Hospital Demolition
Below you will find links to all our posts about the demolition at Norwood Hospital. Do you have photos or videos of the demolition work at Norwood Hospital you would like to share? Please send them to us! Include your name and the date they were taken and you will receive credit in the captions.…
-
Norwood Hospital Demolition-The End Is Near For Norwood Hosptial
Below you will find links to all our posts about the ongoing demolition at Norwood Hospital. Do you have photos or videos of the demolition work at Norwood Hospital you would like to share? Please send them to us! Include your name and the date they were taken and you will receive credit in the…
-
Norwood Hospital Demolition-Last Of the Draper Building-October 19, 2022
Below you will find links to all our posts about the ongoing demolition at Norwood Hospital. Do you have photos or videos of the demolition work at Norwood Hospital you would like to share? Please send them to us! Include your name and the date they were taken and you will receive credit in the…
-
Norwood Hospital Demolition- Draper Building- October 16, 2022
Below you will find links to all our posts about the ongoing demolition at Norwood Hospital. Do you have photos or videos of the demolition work at Norwood Hospital you would like to share? Please send them to us! Include your name and the date they were taken and you will receive credit in the…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.