76+40=1 amazing woman

Valley Life editor

When you love your job, getting up every day and heading into the office doesn't feel quite so bad. That's why Noreene James is still punching the time clock at 76 years old.

James is a certified nurse's assistant with Valley Hospital, and she was honored this week as Alaska's Outstanding Older Worker for 2004. She was selected by the Alaska Commission on Aging from a pool of five nominees.

James, a humble woman, isn't about to shout about her accomplishments or boast about the award. She said the award belongs to those around her, because they give her the support to continue working."

"I just love my job. It is so gratifying, and I just love the people I work with," James said Tuesday at a Valley Hospital staff meeting, where she was the center of attention.

As a CNA, James goes into the homes of chronically ill or disabled patients, and gives them a hand. That may mean bathing them, doing some light housework or simply reminding them to take their medication.

"My job is to help people stay in their house, where they are more comfortable," James said. "It is so gratifying to give people the power to stay in their own home and not in the hospital."

That kind of job takes a special kind of person -- and James' supervisor, Cheri Day, said James is a perfect fit.

"She's terrific. She's the type of person who could meet you one second, and then give you the shirt off her back the next second if you needed it," Day said. "We are all really proud of her. She's an amazing woman."

Argie Lewis is one of James' patients. James comes to her home twice a week and helps her wash her hair and put it in rollers, does her nails, helps her prepare lunch and even goes to the store for her. Lewis said James is much more than just a health care provider.

"I've got pictures of my family all over the place, and Noreene's picture is in there, too," Lewis said. "She's one of my family now. She never changes, she's just so wonderful."

James has worked with Lewis for the last 11 years, and through the years, a strong friendship has formed between the two women.

"That's what I like, that I get to help friends," James said. "That's what is rewarding."

For Lewis, having another friend around is something she simply can't live without.

"I got sick and moved in with my daughter, and Noreene asked me, 'You aren't going to leave me, are you?' And I said, "Honey, I ain't goin' nowhere. We're friends.'"

James assists five patients, and works a full 40-hour work week. There is no slowing her down, and she won't even discuss the "r-word."

"No, I don't even think about retirement," James said. "Why would I? I love my job and I love the people and I'm having fun doing it."

James began her working career as a teen-ager on a dude ranch in Wyoming. She has held a variety of positions during her long career, including time spent as a fire lookout and a dental assistant.

She said having such a supportive family here in the Valley makes working a breeze.

"My family is great. I'm lucky to be surrounded by such a great family," James said. "I love them so much."

Every state selects one Outstanding Older Worker of the year recipient, who are then flown to Washington, D.C., to be honored in a national ceremony celebrating older workers.

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the Alaska program through the Commission on Aging.

This year, there were five nominees for the award James won, officials said in a press release.

"It is a joy to honor Noreene James. She inspires all of us with her determination to continue her profession and she has no plans to retire," said commissioner Greg O'Claray.

Previous winners of the award are Beulah Poindexter, owner of an Anchor Point greenhouse; Jim Tyner, an office manager for an auto service station in Juneau; and Margaret Sanders, the director of a senior center in Nenana.