Allene McCrary, a dedicated hospital volunteer for many years, passed away on June 19 (2023) at the age of 84. Originally from California, she and her husband, Delmar, relocated to Harrison.
Having retired at the age of 52, she found herself seeking something fulfilling to occupy her time. Observing the old hospital thrift shop, she felt it lacked appeal and was in need of reorganization. Recognizing her talent for organizing and problem-solving, she took it upon herself to extensively revamp the facility. Allene tirelessly devoted herself to this task, working seven days a week, washing and ironing countless loads of clothes brought from the shop to her home. Additionally, she enlisted her husband's help in acquiring clothing racks from closing stores to improve the shop's display.
Her efforts paid off significantly, as the thrift shop's transformation attracted more shoppers and generated substantial revenue for the hospital. Over the years, the Auxiliary, thanks to various fundraisers, the gift shop, and the thrift shop, managed to donate over $1 million to the hospital.
When she could no longer maintain the same level of commitment to the thrift shop, Allene transitioned to the hospital's gift shop, where she continued her passion for organizing and improving operations. She traveled across the state to find sales and purchase items at lower prices, benefiting both the thrift and gift shops. One of her most successful ideas was creating gift baskets for Christmas and holidays, which became a profitable venture for the gift shop. Allene delighted in assembling the baskets, often doing so in her own home, filling every available table and countertop with an impressive array of gift items.
Allene's incredible work ethic and devotion to NARMC (North Arkansas Regional Medical Center) earned her recognition as the Arkansas Volunteer of the Year in 2012. Her commitment to the community and the hospital left a lasting impact that will never be forgotten. The NARMC family deeply mourns her loss and expresses gratitude to Ms. McCrary for her invaluable contributions that have elevated the reputation of our hospital and its Auxiliary.
