A THEATRE nurse at the Golden Jubilee Hospital is celebrating after being presented with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to the Clydebank hospital, writes Chris Cromar.
Elizabeth Hendry, known as Lily and Granny Lily, has worked at the Golden Jubilee as a theatre nurse for the past 15 years, and was recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
The 79-year-old started out as an auxiliary in 1968 at Glasgow’s Western Infirmary, before becoming a nurse seven years later.
Her passion for nursing started when she was in hospital as 14-year-old with a knee infection.
On receiving her award, Lily said: “This is a lovely honour and I am absolutely delighted to have been awarded a British Empire Medal.
“I have been a wee bit tearful today and I am very humbled that people would think I am deserving of such an award.
“I love being a nurse. Nursing has really defined my life. I love it here at the Golden Jubilee, where it is like one big family.
“I would like to say a special thanks to Karen Boylan [Golden Jubilee theatre manager] and the rest of the team who put me forward for this award.”
Anne Marie Cavanagh, nurse director at the hospital said: “Everyone at the Golden Jubilee is absolutely delighted for Lily.
“To be awarded a British Empire Medal is testament to her years of dedication and commitment to the nursing profession.
“We are very lucky that Lily hasn’t yet settled into retirement, as she is an extremely hard-working member of the team, whose years of experience are invaluable.
“We are honoured to have Lily here at the hospital. Her positive and can-do attitude is so infectious among our staff and patients.”
Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Eva Bolander, who presented Lily with her award on behalf of The Queen, said that the recipients of these civic awards are the “people who make Glasgow”.
Lily has five children, Hugh, Margaret, John, Angela and Brian, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Lily has volunteered three times in Ghana during her holidays, most recently when she was aged 71.
She met the Queen at the official opening of the West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre at the Golden Jubilee in 2008.
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