And here at Hemeltoday we thought it would be great to allow her 'mums and babies' through the years to wish her a happy retirement.

So if you were one of those mums, or one of the babies, just click below and you can post your message so Dorothy can see it and her family:

CLICK HERE to send your message

Click here to see the full report on Dorothy's retirement

YOUR MESSAGES


From: Jude Hardcastle
Apsley Hemel Hempstead Herts

Dorothy was involved in the birth's of both our daughter's. Whilst she was our point of contact for our eldest daughter (now 12) she was not available for the traumatic birth. However, to be gifted with a second daughter and have Dorothy personally attending her birth was to be blessed.
At the time of this daughter's birth my grandmother was awaiting her birth before she sadly succumbed to cancer.My grandmother was also named Dorothy and in memory to her and Dorothy Norman, our daughter has the middle name of Dorothy. Dorothy Norman allowed me to transfer my immediate midwife care to South Devon (where I am originally from) and at just 10 days old, our youngest daughter was able to be held and cherished by her great grandmother before she sadly passed away 2 weeks later. Dorothy Norman should be suggested for an award from "Her Majesty" and the gazette should lead the way?
I am sure we are not alone in this idea? I am sure Dorothy will remember our parting gift after the birth of our daughter (Findlay DOROTHY)? A can of air freshener? Thank you Dorothy, life for "Mother's to be" will never be the same without you. Hertfordshire will mourne your loss. Thank you Dorothy. May the Hardcastle family wish you a Happy retirement and send our sincere wishes for the future. We need more like you!



From: Ruth Carl
Leverstock Green, Hemel Hempstead, herts, HP3 8UB
Have just read about Dorothy's retirement. She was my midwife through two pregnancies and delivered my daughter (now 9). My son arrived too fast for her to be there but her advice and support were invaluable. Dorothy, your expertise and common sense was very reassuring through the confusing and frankly scary early days of motherhood - I just wish every woman had such a supportive midwife to turn to. I hope you have the perfect retirement you deserve.




From: jodie grillo
hemel hempstead herts
hi dorophy

Can u believe that it is going to be 30 years on 1st september that you delivered me your first ever baby..... Then 9 years later tell my midwife that i had at the time if you could deliver my child as it was something you could not resist well hope your happy and well and enjoying your free time your a very special lady to me good luck and be happy and healthy xx




From: Debbie Buzzle
Hemel Hempstead
Dear Dorothy,
Please accept my warmest congratulations upon your retirement! I remember the first time i met you when i was pregnant with my first baby Jessica. You put me at ease straight away and i knew i was in safe hands. When i was pregnant the second time with Olivia i was thrilled that you was going to be looking after me again.

Enjoy your retirment as you really dererve it! Thank you for being such a fantastic midwife, you will be missed!

Best wishes

Debbie, Lee, Jessica (2.5yrs) and Olivia (7.5months)

From: mrs jean williams
hemel hempstead
re;dorothy normans retirement i am sending you my very best wishes and hope you have a fab retirement you truely deserve it you are one of lifes unsung heroes.You delivered all 3 of my sons the first two in hospital you were my midwife throughout all 3 pregnancies you were the one to encourage me to go for a homebirth as my other four pregnancies had been straightforward and as i had previously had four easy births you were absolutely fantastic you came out on the night i went into labour even though you had been in london at a concert you stayed all night and endured quite a long and difficult birth but you remained calm and positive even when things got scary,although things didnt go as planned you remained fantastic throughout and in the days and weeks that followed you really are an inspiration love and best wishes to you from jean williams




From: Mary Fasheitan-Awosika
Hemel Hempstad
Hi Dorothy,
Thank you so much for all your care and support with all three of my babies. If ever there was a reason not to do it the fourth time you retiring is certainly one of them.
You were certainly one of the bright spots during all three pregnancies and I always knew I could trust and rely on you no matter the issue at hand.
Have a great retirement - you will be truly missed.
All our love
Joshua (10) Benjamin (8) Ayomide (2) Mary and Damola



From: kathryn harries
hemel hempstead
thank you for delivering two of my children jarred whos now 10 at hemel hosspital and kate who is nearly 5 at home,i still remember you sitting on the end of my bed eating your sandwiches you made me feel so relaxed!! i wish you all the luck with your next adventure!!

From: cheryl Armitt (Kelly)
Hemel Hempstead
Well Dorothy, i cant believe you are retiring, i wont forget all the help and support you gave me with my first baby Hollie. Then lateron my no.4 girl Georgina. Who came to do a home visit? What a lovely surprise. I must not forget Lauren and Rebecca who are in between these two. I wish you all the best and feel very grateful to have had your help and advice. Your kindness and helpfulness will always be a special part of my family that you helped into the world. Enjoy your retirement you deserve it.




From: Sharon Chick
End Hemel Hempstead
My warmest wishes to Dorothy on your retirement,thankyou so much for helping me when i was struggling to deliver my 10lb2oz baby-Gavin,you stayed over your shift time to see the birth through to the end,i'll never forget your kindness-thanks again.


From: Kim O'Dell
Hemel Hempstead.
I was fortunate enough to have Dorothy as my midwife, and boy did I need her!!!!! I was admitted to hospital early, Dorothy, by chance was at a meeting in the hospital at that time, anda she called in because she heard I was there. I was so lucky she was around, because my son Dejae, was born with a cleft lip and palate, and a deformity to his right hand, that none of us were aware of, until he was born. I was obviously shocked by the news, Dorothy too, but she gave me such reassurance and comfort, at what could have been a horrific time for me, that I was able to deal with it all. Dejae had to endure some awful operations, starting from the day after he was born, in and out of Stoke Mandeville hospital constantly. He is now 13 years old, still having treatment, and I am pleased to say he is a lovely boy, and I would hope Dorothy would be as proud of him as I am, I couldn't have managed without her, she is a truly remarkable lady. THANK YOU Dorothy so much. Lots of Love, Kim and Dejae xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

From: joanne summers
Dorothy, sometimes you can meet someone only briefly in your life and yet it seems that you have known them for ever and they leave a truely lasting impression. You are one of those people, You have such warmth that you cannot fail to be ay ease in your company straight away. You are always so positive and appear to have boundless energy. You were my midwife throughout both of my pregnancies. Jake is 20 months and Abigail is just 8 weeks old. Throughout both you were everything that a midwife should be and more. Dorothy you were always so reassruing and never made me feel like an over anxious new mother. After a difficult first birth I never worried about the second due to you positivity and reassurance. You were always available above and beyond the call of duty. It used to make me laugh when they said at the surgery 'Dorothy is fully booked but you can ring her and I'm sure she will fit you in' and you always did!! You even managed to fit me in on your last day of work! For you care and thoughtfulness Dorothy I thank you and wish you a long and happy retirement x


From: Marion Crockett
Berkhamsted
Congratulations on your well earned retirement. Thanks for all your help and support when I had Mark 28 years ago! Enjoy your free time you deserve it.

From: sam,steve & kara wood
Dorothy made my labour relaxing and a pleasure.
she was so caring the whole way through my pregnancy and when it came down to it really helped us through it all,
the midwife community will surely miss dorothyin thank you.
every one i know that has has dorothy as their midwife has said the same, she was wonderful!
you deserve a relaxing retirement,
enjoy your life and once again thank you for all your help. xxxxxx

From: Sarah Lawrence
Gadebridge
Hemel Hempstead
Dorothy didn't deliver Connor and Daniel but she was my midwife for before and after care. She was always happy and however busy she was, she always had time to chat and made you feel great. How anyone who works so hard and such long hours can be so jolly and happy amaizes me, she is a fantastic lady and deserves a happy retirement. Thank you Dorothy

From: Jackie McCarthy
Dear Dorothy, I was only asking after you a couple of weeks ago at Bennetts End Surgery. Can't believe you are retiring. Enjoy it and thank you for putting me at ease during pregnance 2 and 3, aka Conor (who has since been confirmed as autistic after a traumatic birth) and Matthew - delivered in 24 minutes. Good luck Dorothy and thank you. Jackie




From: Michelle Carberry
hemel hempstead
I would like to say a BIG thank you for all the advice you gave me when i had my daughter shannon 11yrs ago and then all the way through with louie now nearly 4yrs old. You was alway happy and always never to busy to talk.

I never forget days after louie was born you came to see if we was ok and you told me i looked fab and that made my day. You are the best midwife and you will be missed. we wish you all the best and enjoy the time off as you earned it !! the carberry family

From: Annie Heaton
Boxmoor
Dorothy was the very memorable midwife who came to visit me in the days after my daughter Beatrice was born. She represented the safest pair of hands my baby could be in, and what is more, she thought of my needs too, and changed her nappy just when I was all out of energy. No doubt she's done that thousands of times too. What a star!


From: Denis and Julie Elkins
leverstock green
Dorothy delivered our beautiful son max at home in Bennetts End,on the 22/06/1999.It was a special,wonderful day. Thank-you. our love and best wishes to you and your family. Enjoy your retirement Dorothy, you truly deserve it. love Denis,Julie.Sam.Jasmine,Chloe and Max.xxx



From: Mel Antrobus
My family and I would like to wish Dorothy, a very happy retirement.
She was there when my son was born 10 years ago and was my midwife for my after care at home. She is a lovely lady very gentle, I felt completely comfortable in her care. All the best Dorothy XX
Mel Antrobus

From: Moira Kelly
Hemel Hempstead,
Dorothy was my midwife for my 2nd & 3rd babies who are now 12 and 10 years old. She was such a lovely person.
I wish her all the very best in her retirement.

From: Lisa Smith
Hemel Hempstead
You were my midwife for Jade & Alex but was visiting relatives abroad on Jades birth but fortunately you were there for me with Alex and I managed to hold on till your shift! hah ha. Jade is now 15 and Alex is 11. Thanks for being there for all of us you were fantastic can't thank you enough. Love and best wishes Lisa, Kev, Jade and Alex Smith xxxx


From: Gillian Kennedy
Hemel Hempstead
I would just like to wish Dorothy a long and happy retirement.
Dorothy delivered my daughter 17 years ago, she was really dedicated to her work.




From: Siobhan Orwin
Adeyfield
Dorothy Norman is a well known name in my family, she was my mum's midwife for all 7 of her children and she actually delivered me 23 years ago! My eldest brother is 26 and my youngest sister is 6! Dorothy was my midwife when I had my mum's first grandchild in Feb 2006, Sophie Louise, Sophie is now nearly 2 and my mum is patiently waiting for more grandchildren!

I will never forget the day that I was signed over to the health vistor and I was feeling particularly tired, Dorothy visited me and checked us both over and before she left she gave me a big hug and told me that my hair was lovely and thick with a real natural gloss to it! It was just the personal compliment that I needed that day.

So Dorothy I think you are a wounderful lady with a very big heart and I thank you for everything that you have done for my mum and me over the years! I wish you a very happy


From: Debbie Mitchell
Thank you for being my mid wife for both of my Children Jake aged 11 and Madison aged 7 though you did not deliver them as they were both C section babies you were always there for me.... Especially the 10 weeks i spent in and out of hospital leading up to the birth of Jake

Good luck
your the best



From: Mandy and Les Campbell
Hemel Hempstead
Dorothy helped us after our son Josh was born in 1990,she walked in to our house like a breath of fresh air! Dorothy showed me how to do things the simple and easy way,i was amazed when she bathed my son in our bathroom sink,no fancy baby bath for her!! She was my midwife when my third son Lloyd came into the world. Dorothy kept every thing so calm. She should now put her feet up because she deserves to.

From: Mrs C Edes
hemel hempstead
You will be missed but not forgotten. I still remember the day you came to my flat on your day off after you had just given blood and you had not even had your dinner yet. You still came all the same and delievered my baby girl on the living room floor. She is two years old now. So enjoyed your retirement you desive it and I would just like to say a huge thank you!

From: Linda Wigg
Hemel Hempstead
Dorothy, congratulations on your retirement, I was one of the very lucky Mums to have had such a happy and relatively easy birth in the Hemel Hempstead Maternity Unit (10 years ago), spurred on by your encouraging words and calming nature. Enjoy your retirment you deserve it.




From: caroline major
dorothy is fab and will be sorley missed i have had six babies and she delivered my son thomas 13 years ago in a newly built hemel maternity hospital she was always full of reasurance and kind words and i will never forget her for that



From: Mrs Joanne Couch
Hemel Hempstead
Re: Retirement of Dorothy Norman
It's 13 years ago now but I remember the night well. You weren't even supposed to be on duty - you were at a party at the hospital for someone elses retirement, but you relinquished your glad rags and donned some scrubs to help me deliver Joshua. I'll never forget your absolutely sublime laid back calmness. He was a strapping lad when he was born - very long, 8lb 6oz and had huge feet. You said he would be tall, and he is - he's already 5 ft 10"!! It was a delight to have known you for that special brief period and we wish you a wonderful retirement.




From: shelli kosmalski
hemel hempstead
i would just like to thank dorothy for a very relaxed home birth. it wouldnt have been the same with out her. i cant believe she is retiring and reading the news that she is 60 really threw me as i had her down as no older than 40! you look amazing and your energy is inspiering.
all the best to you and your family in the future. you will always be a a part of us threw our my daughter phoebe.
farwell, enjoy yourself,
kind regards shelli xxxx

From: Mrs Julie White
Hemel Hempstead
Re: Dorothy Normans retirement
Good luck on your retirement, you came to deliver my youngest daughter 3 years ago with Marie. It was a home delivery when my waters broke and ambulancemen wouldnt take me to hospital you both put me at ease at a difficult time. Thank you.

From: Rachel Keil
Tring,
I was delighted to see the story about the retirement of midwife Dorothy Norman. Dorothy was the community midwife on duty when I had my son at home in 2000.
Having had a protracted birth with my first son, I went into the second with some trepidation. I needn't have worried - I was safe in Dorothy's hands -I could not have wished for a kinder, calmer more reassuring person by my side. Hertfordshire will be a poorer place for Dorothy's retirement but my family and I wish her a well deserved, long, happy, sunny retirement.