After an extraordinary 50-year career in nursing, Noeleen Griggs has officially hung up her uniform – though, as her family lovingly admit, her dedication to caring for others is something she’ll never truly retire from.
Indeed, her legacy continues at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, where daughter and granddaughter Anneen and Amelia Carlisle followed in her footsteps – Anneen, Trust Operational Officer, herself has three decades of service, while Amelia is a Sister / Charge Nurse on the Surgical Assessment Unit, having qualified in 2019.
Surrounded by colleagues, friends, and family in the conservatory on Ward 2b at Royal Preston Hospital, Noeleen marked her retirement with laughter, memories, and a few happy tears.
Anneen spoke on behalf of her siblings Justine, Kate, James, and daughter Amelia, sharing a heartfelt tribute to her mum.
Her speech reflected on what it was like growing up with a mother whose commitment to nursing shaped their lives in countless ways.
“For over 50 years you have worn your uniform with pride, strength, and compassion. You worked nights while the rest of the world slept. You gave your heart, your energy, and your time again and again – and you did it all so well.”
She fondly recalled the excitement of her mum's days off – trips into town, days out, movie nights, and Saturday evenings watching Casualty together, when Noeleen could never switch off, whether it was spotting upside‑down oxygen masks or laughing as she announced that a fictional patient “would never survive that”.
“Through everything,” Aneen said, “you’ve shown us what dedication, resilience, and true compassion look like. We are so proud of you.”
The only time Noeleen's dedication wavered was when, in August 1977, as news broke of Elvis Presley's death, she was too distraught to work and rang in sick!
Noeleen, from Fulwood, herself reflected on where it all began. She started her training in 1971, at the old Royal Infirmary in Preston, completing placements at Sharoe Green and later spending time at Deepdale Hospital.
In the early 1980s, she returned to Sharoe Green before finally settling into the specialty she loved most, neurosurgery, where she stayed for the remainder of her career.
“It’s incredible when you think about it,” she said. “I never imagined I’d do 50 years.”
Across five decades, Noeleen has witnessed huge transformations in the NHS – she recalls the old Nightingale wards, long open rooms where nurses could see all their patients at a glance, while today, modern layouts of bays and side rooms offer privacy.
And of course, there was the arrival of computers. "One of the biggest changes was when technology came in,” she laughed. “Being one of the older nurses, it took me longer than everyone else – and I probably still haven’t mastered it!”
Her son James played a crucial role, gently nudging her into the digital age. From persuading her to get her first mobile phone to helping her navigate e-learning, he ensured she was ready for a modern NHS.
When asked about the highlight of her career, Noeleen didn’t hesitate. “The people”, she said. “I’ve worked with so many generations – from those I trained with, to nurses in their early twenties. There’s a lot of mutual respect. They value your experience, and you learn from them too.”
Working on the same ward as her own daughter during her training was a particularly special moment – even if it meant keeping a polite distance due to policies at the time.
Four weeks into retirement, Noeleen admits she already misses “the familiar faces, the camaraderie, and my friends".
Still, retirement brings joys of its own. She’s looking forward to more time with her devoted husband, Alan, while she has 13 grandchildren and two great‑grandchildren to keep her busy – and a long‑awaited trip to Florence planned for May.
