Marie Etienne of Dorchester has retired as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at The Boston Home, a role she has performed with loving care for 28 years. She is looking forward to spending more time in Haiti, her native land.

“I remember back in the 1990s, I used to walk from my home on Gallivan Boulevard to go to my job in South Boston,” said Etienne during her retirement reception at the Home. “At that time, TBH was building the new wing. I would see the construction happening and thought this would be a good place for me to work. I applied on a Tuesday, and that same day, they called me to schedule an interview that Thursday. I have been here ever since.”

She recalled how the staff helped her in the early days, including leaders like Mary Grow and Cindy Walsh. In recent years, however, it has been Etienne showing others the ropes. “They call me Mama Marie,” she said with a laugh. “To me it’s a sign of love and respect.”

Kristy Ford, TBH’s director of admissions, concurs: “She is a motherly figure on the unit. I know that a few residents greatly appreciate when she arrives early morning for her shift—she brings them a cup of coffee before breakfast. The little things like that go a long way.”