 |
| Rose Cronin |
I
meet the most amazing people when I travel, and during a recent visit to
upstate New York I crossed paths with Rose Cronin.
This
remarkable woman is “101 and a half,” as
she proudly states. Volunteering for Seton Health/St. Mary’s Hospital in Troy, New
York for approximately 34 years, Rose spent 22 years as the manager of the
hospital’s gift shop. Since that time, she has manned her post in the hospital
lobby where she sells raffle tickets for the Seton Health Auxiliary and has
raised in excess of $100,000. I understand why she is so successful. Who could
resist making a donation after chatting with this vivacious lady?
Even
at 101 and a half, Rose Cronin volunteers four days each week for seven hour
shifts. She gave up driving just a few years ago and is able to obtain rides to
continue her service. I think she would hitchhike if her ride didn’t show up!
Rose
always has a smile and loves to visit with passersby. She is a natural sales
person, and visiting with her makes you delighted to donate to the hospital. It
is immediately apparent that everyone at the hospital loves Rose, and her
friend, Frann Tague, makes sure that her lunch and dinner are delivered to her
during her work days.
I
asked Rose, “What is the secret to your longevity and spunkiness?”
Her
immediate response was, “Working hard all of your life and staying busy.”
In
August, 2011, the hospital gift shop was appropriately named Rose’s Gift
Gallery to honor her and her tenacious and valuable service. She represents
ambassadorship on multiple levels: for St. Mary’s Hospital, for volunteerism
and for active, vibrant senior citizens.
Rose
Cronin is one lady who isn’t going to sit back in a rocking chair and sleep all
day. She is an inspiration to anyone who knows her and to anyone who even
happens to encounter her along an unexpected visit to St. Mary’s Hospital in
Troy, New York.
God
bless you, Rose Cronin!
Lovingly,
Mary Anne Benedetto
Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy
Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never
Say Perfect and From Italy with Love & Limoncello.
What a delightful lady she must be. Thanks for giving me a smile and the inspiration to live like Rose does.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Thank you, Linda. She is something else!
DeleteIntriguing post. I Have Been pondering about this issue, so a debt of gratitude is in order for posting. Entirely cool post.It 's extremely exceptionally decent and Useful post.Thanks Click Here
ReplyDelete