Thirty-three years ago Debbie Moore began working the midnight shift at Bryant’s Nursing Home. The name has changed to Sanctuary of the Ohio Valley but her love of the place remains. But now Moore is saying goodbye.

“I just never left,” said Moore. “I never wanted to go anywhere. It’s been wonderful.”

When Moore first decided to work at Bryant’s, she was looking for a way to spend her time.

“I was just sitting at home all day long,” said Moore. “I started out as a nurse on the floor.”

Over the years, staff at has become like family to Moore.

“They’re just like my kids,” said Moore.

Moore said that what she loves most about her job is the people she gets to interact with.

“You see a lot of people that have nobody else and you just sort of adopt them,” said Moore. “This is a family-type facility.”

Now that she’s retired, Moore plans to spend time traveling and participating in several hobbies.

“I want to start a flower garden,” said Moore.

Melissa Burns, a Sanctuary staff member who has worked with Moore for 23 years, said that Moore’s absence will be noticed.

“Debbie’s been like family to me,” said Burns. “She just kind of brings a homelike environment to the place.”

For Robert Banasik, past administrator at Sanctuary and corporate staff member, seeing Moore retire is difficult.

“It’s been delightful to have her here,” said Banasik. “She’s been a constant.”

Although Moore said she has “mixed emotions” about retiring. She’s feels now is the time for her to transition.

“I think it’s time to move on and start another chapter in my life,” said Moore. “It’s bittersweet.”