Alliance Health fetes longtime Abbott House employee Janice Richard

LYNN – Janice Richard may have an ordinary job, doing the laundry at Abbott House in Lynn, but she was honored on Monday for her extraordinary contributions over more than three decades to the residents of the BaneCare-managed Alliance Health facility, which go well beyond clean clothes and linens.Richard was selected by Alliance Health of Massachusetts from more than 100 nominees throughout Alliance?s network of nursing homes, to receive the 8th Annual John Corridan Compassion Award, named for one of the late founders of Alliance Health.Monday afternoon in the Abbott House family room, Rich Bane, owner of BaneCare, and Rick Canty, a member of the Alliance Health board of directors, presented the award along with a $500 check to Richard, who was surrounded by her family, and many Abbott House residents and staff members.?This award is incredibly well-deserved and long overdue,” Bane said in his opening remarks to the gathered crowd. “Janice is part of the fabric of Abbott House, which has a terrific reputation in Lynn and Greater Lynn because of people like Janice.”Richard began her career with BaneCare in 1976 as a certified nurse?s assistant at the former Avalon Nursing Home in Lynn, and started work at the 55-resident Abbott House in the early 1980s.Canty highlighted some of the reasons Richard stood out from so many nominees.?Janice comes to work with a smile and a hello for everyone she meets ? She knows every resident by name and makes it a point to visit each one to ask ?How are you doing today? or to tell them one of her stories,” Canty said. “She is well known for her homemade cards for residents? birthdays, a get-well card for someone not feeling well, or thinking-of-you card or just a funny card to make a resident laugh.?When it comes to the holidays, Janice buys a card for each and every resident, and takes the time to write special notes inside,” Canty said. “Janice?s generosity goes further. A co-worker told us that she discussed with Janice that she should not be spending her own money to buy lotion for the residents. Janice replied, ?They like it because they like to smell nice and it makes them happy, and they don?t have any of their own.?”Bane, who also noted Richard?s near-perfect work attendance over 36 years, joked about one of Richard?s favorite hobbies.?Janice works hard for her money and she invests it carefully, and as long as she doesn?t go to Foxwoods everything is fine.”Richard introduced her family members and thanked the crowd, but chose not to speak.Richard told The Item she enjoys her work and considers all of the staff and residents of Abbott House “like family.”Her niece, Amanda Richard, presented Janice with a citation from the state Senate and Sen. Thomas McGee, D-Lynn, recognizing her for her outstanding dedication to Abbott House.Sean Leonard may be reached at [email protected].