Three years ago Marion Tatem was widowed for a second time. It was this tragic experience that motivated her to become a member of the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda (HAB).

"When my husbands were hospital patients I observed first hand how much and how hard the nurses worked at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Now I am giving a little something back by helping out the HAB," she said.

When you meet Mrs. Tatem you readily see that she is dedicated, kind, patient, considerate, bubbly and energetic. She thrives on helping people and is a volunteer with the Overseas Family Help Service, (OSHS) a small committee of extremely dedicated individuals who assist overseas patients and their friends and relatives.

"When a tourist has an accident like falling off a scooter or when a plane is diverted because someone needs urgent medical care, we are there to help during a time of crisis for visitors in Bermuda."

Mrs. Tatem suffered a terrible accident in 1970, when she was on a boat that exploded, rendering severe burns to her body. She recalls the many acts of kindness that were extended to her while she was hospitalised for four months. She is a volunteer with high sensitivity to the needs of others and she loves working at the hospital. Her primary duties are helping patients on the ward with menu selections and assisting OFHS patients and relatives.

When helping patients with menu selections, Mrs. Tatem observes: "Sometimes, patients do not have teeth so I look at the menu with them, even when they say they are not interested. I suggest things for them to try like juices and corn flakes.

" When I volunteer in my role with OFHS, I assess what patients and their relatives need. Sometimes they just need someone to listen. I take the loved ones out to lunch or for afternoon tea or even to enjoy a walk or swim on our beautiful beaches. Sometimes I bring people home with me to spend the night if other accommodations cannot be found, especially after midnight."

A mother of seven, Mrs. Tatem is a nurturer by nature. She says that her children were always bringing other children over to stay in their home too."

Debbie Byrd and Lena Ostroff are wonderful leaders and they really care about people, especially, the volunteers. They have been my mentors."

According to Mrs. Tatem, the HAB organisation needs more volunteers, especially men. There are about 300 HAB volunteers, most of whom are women.

"To continue in our same vein, we need more volunteers. If we have sufficient volunteers, we should easily commemorate another 50 years of excellence. It is my dream for the HAB to always be a positive part of Bermuda's hospitals.

"Perhaps one day the OFHS will have a private office within the hospital where we can assist the relatives of overseas patients," she concluded.