LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Most people travel the world or at least relax during retirement. However, one 92-year-old Louisville woman is working through her retirement.
“I didn’t think it was going to turn out this long,” Lillie Gilliam said. “I never thought in a million years I would still be doing this.”
Gilliam went to Nazareth College, which is now Spalding University, to become a lab technician. She retired nearly three decades ago, but you wouldn’t know it because she still works five days a week.
For 25 years, she’s been a phlebotomist at UofL Health.
She works in primary care, and initially, working through her retirement was just supposed to be for a couple of days.
“That ‘few days’ turned into years quickly,” Gilliam said. “I’ve been in this building 25 years, and that was after retiring and working for the other doctor about 20 years.”
She’s enjoyed a long career in the medical field.
On any given day Gilliam is drawing blood, helping with lab orders, or working the desk. She thanks her coworkers for keeping her young and teaching her how to use the computer.
Her patients have grown very attached to her. Gilliam sees many of them several times a week. Despite her coworkers’ best efforts, Gilliam’s patients get worried when she’s not there.
“One time, they put up a sign that reads ‘Lillie is okay. She’s just on vacation,’” Gilliam said with a laugh. “But it didn’t work. They kept checking on me.”
Some have even given her gifts over the years. Gilliam uses the trinkets to decorate and spread more cheer in the office.
It’s hard work, but Gilliam says she’s willing to stay because she just loves her coworkers “like family” and it would be too hard to say goodbye.
“This is what keeps me here. The camaraderie with my coworkers,” Gilliam said. “As long as they’re here, I’m here. As long as my health holds up and the good Lord allows me to.”
Her coworkers say they care for her just as much.
“She runs circles around me,” one woman said. “We just adore her.”
Gilliam’s 93rd birthday is in June. She said she doesn’t have a secret to living a a long, successful life.
“I just thank the good Lord,” she said. “It makes you feel good when you’re nearly 93 years old and can still do a job. I enjoy making people happy.”
