After 25 years of dedicated service, Ina Kayte Lee recently retired from Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.

“Kayte has been a patient advocate and constant leader here at Borgess-Lee. Her care and compassion will be missed by both her patients and colleagues,” said Jean Brosnan, RN, interim director of inpatient services.

“Kayte led by example, and created a caring and dynamic work group on the midnight shift. She developed many long-lasting friendships with her co-workers, who plan on keeping in contact with her. We wish her the very best in retirement.”

Lee worked as the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. charge nurse on the hospital’s medical/surgical unit.

“I’m pretty sure my main job was when the girls I worked with would let me pretend to be in charge,” she joked.

“I have so many great memories. I worked with the best crew, bar none. It is a privilege to call these wonderful people my friends.”

During her retirement, Lee plans to spend more time with her grandchildren, traveling between the Lakeshore, St. Joseph and Kalamazoo Public Schools to watch them play sports, relaxing, and continuing to work on several home improvement projects.

“Kayte is a real ‘do-it-yourselfer,’” said Patti Reist, house supervisor.

“When it comes to her home, I don’t think there’s anything she would be afraid to tackle. She has big ideas she can’t wait to get started on inside a room to display her Betty Boop collection.”

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone at Borgess-Lee for the many years of work together,” Lee added. “Keep up the good work and I will miss you all.”