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
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In Memoriam – Walter Blasenak
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