A life dedicated to helping others mixed with a dose of love at first sight could be the basis for a good read. Throw in a dynasty of family nurses and you could have a blockbuster film.
This story unfolded when a mystery bag of books was left at the reception desk of Grimsby hospital’s staff library. It sparked a search for the family who had donated the tomes and led to some of our staff becoming super sleuths.
The tale started back in May 1956 when Mollie Mann was awarded her nursing certificate, and she secured her first job in orthopaedics at Grimsby hospital. Fast forward 69 years and Mollie’s story is being told in a special small display at the hospital.
Librarian Rachel Rushmer said: “Someone rang and asked if we accepted donations of old medical books. Then a lady turned up and dropped some items off. She was a bit upset and left without giving me any details.”
Enter the plot Patricia McKenna, Lead Practice Development Nurse, and she initiated what she describes as a journey down a rabbit hole. She said: “A small group of us decided it would be great to use the items as part of International Nurses’ Day, but we wanted to know more about Mollie. We managed to find a marriage certificate, then sadly came across her obituary which led to a call to the funeral directors. Bingo, we had found our family.”
They discovered Mollie initially worked in orthopaedics, which is where she met her husband David, who she was married to for 67 years. It was love at first sight after he suffered a motorbike accident and was in traction and full body cast. The couple went on to have two daughters, Karen and Jane, who followed their mum into nursing.
Jane Broddle and Karen James, both trained as nurses. Jane worked at Grimsby hospital on medical and surgical wards, the fracture clinic and the dialysis unit before ending her career as a research nurse at Hull Royal Infirmary. Meanwhile, Karen started her nurse training in Grimsby before joining the RAF and becoming a nurse. She later went onto work as a kidney research nurse in Hull, where she worked alongside Jane for a year before retiring.
Jane said: “Mum was very proud to be a nurse. She started her career at Grimsby hospital and then went onto become a school nurse. It was at the hospital she met our dad, as he was a patient. Mum had to get permission from the matron to get married and when they did, they hit the headlines of the local news, ‘Love comes in on a stretcher’. We still have the clippings.”
The hospital team have now invited Mollie’s family for a cuppa and chat to reminisce about their mum, as well as to look at the display they have put together which includes Mollie’s nursing certificate, nurse’s pin, wedding photograph and much more.
This story has prompted the libraries at Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole hospitals to launch an appeal for other families to come forward with their cherished memories and stories of love, hope and inspiration.
Rachel said: “I know from talking to staff our local hospitals in Grimsby and Scunthorpe are real family affairs when it comes to meeting and falling in love, to children following in the footsteps of their parents.
“As a librarian I love a good story, and what better way to celebrate local people who have dedicated their lives to public service by appealing for folks to come forward and tell their tales of how our hospitals have shaped their lives.”
Rachel is looking for people to email their stories, as well as any old pictures, so she can create a display and archive of memories. “I have heard wonderful tales of a father who worked as a painter and decorator for donkey’s years, and wives who worked in the kitchen cooking up a storm, to nurses who dedicated their lives to caring. Please send me your stories and photos to: [email protected]”
Jane added: “I reached out to the library to see if they wanted the books and mementos as they were gathering dust, and I didn’t want them to rot if they could be enjoyed by other people.”
