Sandie’s sure to keep everywhere sparklingly clean as she reaches 70

Patients and visitors to our outpatients’ reception, clinics and Wellbeing Centre will all have seen Sandie Abrahams as she wipes, brushes, mops and feather dusters’ all those important areas.

She’s like a spinning top and even at the age of seventy this month is not planning to slow down any time soon.

She greets everyone warmly and as one of her close friends and colleagues, Jo, told us,

“She’s brilliant, never grumpy, so funny and makes my day even happier.”

Sandie was born in Liverpool and after school she worked for the famous Littlewoods retail emporium. Her longer career was, however, with British American Tobacco,

“I know, filthy habit,” she says, “but for a long time in those days we didn’t really know what we know now.”

Would you have made a different choice?

“Oh no, it was great there. Some of the happiest times of my life.”

Her even happier times were spent with husband John who, when we start to talk about him, brings a glisten to her eyes,

“John was the love of my life. We were married for forty years, and I miss him every day. He was a heating engineer by trade, but his great passion was for music. A left-handed guitarist he played in covers bands, loving the 60’s and 70’s and playing at venues all over Merseyside. Adam and the Sinners was one group (who have a brick in the wall at the famous Mathew Street in Liverpool) and more recently the, often, aptly named, Hair of the Dog.

We had many happy times together, including with our sons, John and Andrew.”

Sandie tells a great story of a time John and her were out late and, for a very funny reason (you’ll have to ask her), got the thumbs up from a passing police patrol car. Oo-er!

Nowadays she’s up and at ‘em at 4.45am for her 6-10am shift, five days per week, at her beloved hospice,

“I love the hospice, people are so welcoming and friendly on all levels. It’s just something else. It’s like no other job.”

We asked Sandie’s supervisor,  another Jo, for an overview of Sandie and she wrote,

“I’ve known her for just over 7 years now and every single day has been a joy.

Regardless of what is going on in her life she’s faced every day with a smile, never complains, always asks how you are. She’s a little ray of sunshine.

When I was told Sandie was 70 this year I couldn’t believe it, she doesn’t look it, and certainly doesn’t act it. I just hope that when I reach that age I am half as good as her.

She really is an inspiration and we all love her.

Happy birthday Sandie thank you for always looking out for me, have a wonderful day you deserve it.”

We couldn’t have put it any better. Many happy returns, Sandie.