Bringing 'love and light,' St. Luke's NICU volunteer celebrates 95th birthday with team

For the last 40 years, Edith Molnar has made it a point to be a regular volunteer, helping people in any way she can.

That has meant everything from cooking food from scratch for a soup kitchen and food pantry to providing salon services at a retirement home.

“It is so fulfilling, because you are helping people, making them happy, making their day better,” Molnar said. “And that makes me happy.”

But there was always a not-so-secret volunteering wish she had in her mind — and a chance visit to St. Luke’s Meridian a decade ago made it happen.

At the hospital gift shop, Molnar, who had moved to Idaho not long before, asked about volunteer opportunities. She said she’d be happy to help however she could, but there was one group of patients she’d always wanted to work with.

“I said I wanted to be around babies, and they said, ‘Well, turns out they need help,’” Molnar said.

So, Molnar began one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life and has since become a fixture in the Meridian NICU, handling laundry and diapers, and of course providing comfort to the tiniest patients.

“There is always something to do … there’s nothing better than holding those babies — I’d pay them to let me do it,” Molnar said with a laugh.

Lisa Cordova, St. Luke’s Meridian volunteer services manager, said Molnar has volunteered more than 1,700 hours since she began in 2014.

NICU assistant nurse manager Kelsey Mitchell said Molnar “fills our unit with love and light.”

“Her gentle spirit and unwavering dedication have made her a treasured member of our team,” Mitchell said. “Loved by every nurse and staff member, Edith is more than a volunteer, she is part of the Meridian NICU family.”

The team celebrated Molnar’s 95th birthday when her daughter dropped her off for her weekly shift in the NICU. Molnar wore a “birthday girl” sash and was feted with miniature cakes and a banner celebrating her special day.

“They’re just wonderful people,” Molnar said.

At St. Luke’s, volunteers are vital to helping operations of our hospitals and helping make our patients feel safe and welcome. From assisting in waiting rooms and staffing the gift shop to helping kids visiting or being cared for, there are many opportunities available.

“I tell people all the time how wonderful it is; volunteering is very rewarding … I look forward to it every week,” Molnar said.