Readers are telling me how much they love Inez Glass, who was the subject of my story today.
I shared her story of being a nurse in World War II and opening Cottesmore nursing home as part of a promise to her family.
What I didn’t have room to include was her story of how she actually started the Gig Harbor nursing home, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
The story goes like this: Glass, now 87, was a full-time, working mother when she pursued construction of a new nursing home. She didn’t have the money, so she contacted the pastor of her church.
The pastor told her the parish didn’t have the funds for the project, but he introduced Glass to a fellow parishioner and local businessman, George Reha.
As Glass tells the story, Reha was iffy at first on whether a new nursing home was worthwhile. That changed overnight. Glass said Reha had a dream and found himself on the floor with an epiphany.
“The Lord said to him, ‘Help that girl build the nursing home,’” she said.
With the help of Reha and his attorney, brother Johnny Reha, the group sold $61,000 in stocks and raised money to get the home started.
Finally, in 1969, the home opened with 52 beds. The promise that Glass made to her and the dream that started in a local businessman’s sleep had been fulfilled.
Again, for this who missed today’s story, here’s how you can meet Glass:
WHAT: Open house to celebrate Cottesmore of Life Care’s 40th anniversary
WHEN: Oct. 26, 3 to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Cottesmore of Life Care, 2909 14th Ave. N.W., Gig Harbor
WHAT ELSE: Founder Inez Glass will be the guest speaker.
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