Trinity Hospital Honoring Woman Who Has Worked There For 61 Years
(CBS) -- Imagine working 61 years at the same place. Today - Advocate Trinity Hospital is honoring an employee who has worked there for all those years.
"I just love being here and working."
It was 1951 when Laura Ceja took the street car to start her job as patient care assistant at what was then South Chicago Community Hospital.
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One thing that stands out in her mind: The summer of 1966 when eight student nurses were murdered by Richard Speck.
"All of them. I worked with all of them. So it was very hard for me to accept, that morning when I came in and they were telling me about it."
But the rest of those six decades brought mostly pleasant memories for Laura Ceja, who is 80 years old and stays fit.
"I exercise. I have a total gym in my basement. I got the abs. I do that - I do 120 of each."
Laura Ceja says she hates to hear the word retire - but she says this is probably the year.
"I know when I leave I'm going to miss this place. I really am. Because this is my first home. I was born here in this hospital, and I had my kids here. I'll probably die here, too," she says, laughing. "I hope not."
If genes are any indication - that's a long time away. Her mother is 98, and she says, still going strong.
Ceja asked that we credit her manager on 3-South at Advocate Trinity Hospital, Sue Bocian, who she says manages a great department.
