Carol Hankins:
CLASS OF 1964
Washington High SchoolClass of 1964
Washington court house, OH
Samaritan Hospital - School of NursingClass of 1967
Ashland, OH
Carol's Story
After graduating from WHS, I attended Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing, Ashland, Ohio, graduating second in my class in 1967. My nursing career has been both challenging and fulfilling. Except for a short stint in a nursing home (I found out real quick that was not for me!), my nursing life has been in a hospital. I spent over thirty years in the Operating Room at Mansfield General / MedCentral Health System here in Mansfield where we performed all services except for organ transplant. I was Clinical Specialist of General Surgery - my first love - and also Ear, Nose & Throat and Urology before transferring to management the last twelve years. While Surgical Services Manager, I helped coordinate the planning and opening of our Heart Care OR Unit - now ranked among the best in the nation. In 2001, I transferred to the Materials Management / Purchasing Department where I initiated the position of Clinical Resource Coordinator / Specialist for the entire health care system. After many life altering events including the death of my husband and major back surgery for a shredded lumbar disc, I decided that it was time to "stop and smell the roses", retiring June 30, 2007. Since that time, I wonder how I ever had time to work!
Now for the personal stuff:
In 1966, I married Robert Graska Jr. from Ashland, Ohio and we had two children, Jeffrey in 1967 and Amy in 1972. After 18 years of marriage, Bob and I went different ways but remained close friends until his death in 2007 of ALS (Lou Gehrig¿s Disease).
On Valentine's Day, 1987, I married my true soul mate and "bestest friend", Thomas Bill Hankins. Our extended family included my two children and Bill's five daughters: Robin, Lisa, Heather, Marlowe and Yvonne. All seven are now married with families and careers of their own. Jeff is a minister in Uhrichsville, OH; he is also a registered pharmacy technician and is currently attending college to become an RN. He and wife Bonnie have four sons and five grandchildren (yup! I'm a great-grandma!). Amy is a full-time mom, waitress, beautician, soccer and softball coach in Butler, OH; she and husband Kaleb have one son and two daughters. Robin is a R...Expand for more
egistered Nurse specializing in ER and Trauma in Mesa, AZ; she and husband Wayne have two daughters. Lisa is a graphic design artist in Toledo, OH; she and husband Mark have one daughter and one son. Heather is a veterinary technician in Perrysville, OH; she and husband Ron have three daughters. Marlowe is manager of large nursery and party complex in Greenville, MI; she and husband Brett have one daughter and one son. Last but not least, Yvonne is a Registered Nurse specializing in Dialysis near Warren, OH; she and husband Frank have three dogs and two cats! So when you add up all of the numbers, I have two children, five stepchildren, seven grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Holidays have always been a real madhouse!!!
We have been very fortunate in that all of the kids and grandkids are beautiful, healthy and successful. They are such a blessing and a true gift from God. We have witnessed miracles along the way especially when Amy's son was born prematurely, at 1 lb 13 oz and 12 7/8" long. He spent 17 weeks at Akron Children's Hospital but now is 13 years old and perfectly healthy. We returned to Akron Children's when Jeff's youngest was born with respiratory issues but again, he is now 10 and doing great.
Sadly, all endings are not happy. In April 2006, my life's partner passed away after a lengthy battle with Diffuse Lewy Body Disease (Lewy Body Dementia) and heart disease. Unfortunately, after 20 years my relationship with Bill's daughters and their families has dwindled to an occassional phone call or greeting card. It has taken three years for me to recover and adjust but now am finally ready to go on with my life.
I have a fifth wheel camper at Port Clinton, OH and spend a lot of time there in the warmer months. I like to work outside in my yard and flowerbeds and am currently busy painting and redecorating the house. But my favorite pastime is to spend time with the kids and their families. Following the grandkids around from sport to sport keeps me busy! I have a black and white cat named Scarlet who keeps me company for now - who knows, maybe there is another Mr. Right out there!
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