Aide celebrates 25 years

Restorative aide Evelyn Williams, who Thursday celebrated her 25th anniversary working for St. Luke Living Center, has loved every minute of it.

“Sometimes things are hard, but I love the residents and many have made an impact on my life,” she said. “I still think about something they told or taught me every day that has stuck with me.”

One was an older woman who called her “Momma.”

“When she was dying I just couldn’t stand to watch it,” Williams said. “Her family came to my house and said she wouldn’t pass away until I visited—that she was waiting to say goodbye to me. I went to her room and said goodbye and told her how much I loved her, and she passed shortly after.”

Williams wanted to be a probation officer, but fell in love with the residents. St. Luke has been supportive.

“They’ve helped me through sickness, divorce, and deaths in the family,” she said. “It’s my home.

“Residents have more freedom than they used to. Used to be the doctor told you what you could do and eat. Now the residents can make those choices for themselves.”