Patch Gets To Know Mary Allen

MARIETTA, OH — Mary Allen is the Director of Nursing at the Washington County Home, for one more day. She’s been there since 1977 and has decided that it’s time to step down and focus on the things she likes to do. “I’m going to garden, I’m going to work on my genealogy, and I’m going to travel.” Her last day will be June 30th.

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She says it is simply time to retire. “I don’t have the passion for it. It’s just time. I will miss some things, I will miss the camaraderie, I’ll miss the residents coming in to talk to me about anything.”

She did say she’s going to miss all the changes coming down the pike with their new administrator. “I like change, I like new things, and I will miss that.”

Allen was asked if she had any regrets. “Absolutely not. Everything brought me here. It hasn’t always been rosy, but everything can teach us something if we will listen.” She said she would actually stay on if the position wasn’t full-time.

There was a brief period in the 80s where she left to try something. “I left in 1983 and came back in 1986. So I have actively worked here for 41 years.” She had started up a maid service called The Maids, “It was fine, I wasn’t.” She said maid services have become more common, but back in ‘83, it wasn’t. “It just wasn’t my thing, I didn’t have a knack for it (business).”

What she does have a knack for is nursing. And she said a career in nursing, especially the elderly, is where she belonged, “I’ve always liked geriatrics. I was one of the youngest ones to be interested in geriatrics way back in 1975.” She said she likes getting to know people, getting to know them well, getting to have relationships with them, and learning their interests. “Everyone comes with a story, and that story is interesting.”

The facility there was built in 1977, so she’s been there pretty much from the start. “It’s a place you want to stay. They’re flexible. People are quiet, it’s peaceful. The Washington County residents have been faithful in keeping us going.”

Allen pointed out that the County Home is also a farm. “I believe we’re the only farm left in the county home system. We raise and eat our own beef. I believe we’re doing potatoes this year too.” She said she’s glad to see how many people who live in the County Home volunteer to help out on the farm. “They prefer to be busy during the day.”

But she’s leaving all that behind, Allen says she’s planning her sixth or seventh trip to Ireland. “I’ve lost count. I’m also going to travel to Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic where I have genealogy research to do. And wherever else strikes my fancy.” She said her husband is getting older and she hopes to spend more time with him too. She also has a nearly 99-year-old mother living in Wisconsin. “So I’ll be going up there too.”

Once Mary Allen retires she might not have a job, but it’s clear, she will still have plenty to do. “I also have a daughter in Maryland. So yes I believe I’ll be busy. I’m looking forward to it, but yes I will miss some things.”

She said she hopes whoever takes her job is kind and willing to listen. “But understands what standard operating procedure is. This is really about listening, at least from a nursing position.”

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