CAVE CREEK, Ariz — For nearly 30 years, Margaret Galloway dedicated her life to helping others. It was that dedication that was recently honored by the Arizona Nurse Honor Guard.
"For her to get that honor before she passes away, that's really special," her son, Randy Galloway said. "It's great for me just to know she got some recognition after all these years."
Margaret was born in Oklahoma and grew up in Pryor. Randy Galloway said she graduated high school in 1942 and decided she'd go to nursing school.
"She went to nursing school and when she graduated it was during the war, and she was stationed in New Mexico," he said. "That's where she met my dad. He was in the hospital getting a lung removed. She ended up getting married to him."
Margaret was a nurse for more than 27 years. She also went back to school, got her degree, and then wrote a book and taught a nurse's aide program.
"She taught for about 16 years at vocational school," Randy Galloway said. "She ended up getting breast cancer and had to retire in 1986. Here she is today, almost a 40-year survivor of breast cancer."
Talking about his mother's accomplishments, Randy Galloway said his mother has lived an accomplished and fulfilling 99 years of life. He knows it was her time spent helping others she treasures.
"She's only two months away from being 100," he said. "Just because of how dedicated she was. To have somebody in your family like that, it means a lot."
On Tuesday, three members of the Arizona Nurse Honor Guard wanted to thank her for that dedication after Hospice of the Valley had reached out to them. They gathered at her bedside in her home in Cave Creek and held a brief ceremony in her honor.
"We just thank her for all that she did in the years of her career," Cindy Loucel, RN, said.
The Arizona Nurse Honor Guard (Maricopa Chapter) is a group that began in 2017 to honor nurses who've passed away or who are in hospice. The non-profit consists of members who are either current or retired nurses, who understand the duties of helping others.
"I never regretted being a nurse," Loucel said. "We do it all from the heart. It's not about the pay, it's not anything else, and maybe we've done it in honor of somebody. We're committed to this."
The ceremony consisted of a brief reading and then a beautiful, pink quilt and coin were given to Margaret.
"It's to honor her nursing as a calling," Loucel said. "I want to say thank you, and we're always going to remember her. How proud I am to be able to do this and for her to hear our words. She knows."
"I asked her if she was aware and she said 'yes.' She knows what's going on, it's just she can't hardly speak anymore," Randy Galloway said. "It really meant a lot to both of us and it's great to have a little ceremony for her."
Randy says his mother was always special and enjoyed being a nurse. Now, to have these gifts now will be something they will treasure together.
"She's the only one who supported me as an artist growing up," he said. "She's pretty special."
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