Hi Mary Sue,

I was completely taken by surprise when I received your phone call last evening. I'm sure that I sounded totally confused, but I hope not ungrateful for such an honor. I knew at age 7 that I wanted to be a nurse who would take care of babies and children. Then, as an adult, I had quite an inferiority complex as to my own self-worth, except when I thought about my nursing. When I graduated from St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in 1964, I actually felt such pride in being a nurse both professionally and personally. When I finally retired at age 80 and my last 45 years at Children's Medical Associates of Northern Virginia, I felt a real sense of pride in a job well done. I thank God for allowing me to live my childhood dream. And I thank my dear friend and classmate Barb (Beel) Enkling RN for being a big part of that dream in believing in me and nominating me for this great honor. I thank you, Mary Sue and the Alumni Board, for being a big part of that dream as well. I couldn't be more honored.

Sincerely,

Judy (Brooks) Dray Connolly RN "64