Family, friends and colleagues gathered to bid farewell to Catherine (Cathie) McAlonan who retired from NHS Lanarkshire in March after 37 years service.

The clinical support worker (CSW), who was based within the treatment room at Carluke Community Health Centre, joined NHS Lanarkshire in 1978 as a domestic assistant at Motherwell maternity hospital.  After the closure of the hospital, Cathie moved to Strathclyde Hospital in Motherwell.  She remained there for a period of 13 years during which time she became a clinical support worker.

In 1994 Cathie moved to the treatment room at Carluke Community Health Centre, a post she held until her retirement.

Cathie lives in Motherwell with her husband Robert.  They have two sons Stephen (41) and Brian (39), a daughter Karen (31), two grandsons and two granddaughters, all of whom stay locally in Motherwell.

In her spare time Cathie enjoys holidaying abroad and socialising with friends and family.

Upon her retirement, Cathie intends to continue in her love of travel as well as looking after her granddaughter two days a week.

Registered general nurse Alison Johnstone said: “Cathie will be greatly missed by friends, colleagues and patients but we all wish her a very happy retirement”.