Friends, family and co-workers surprised Donna Murmello on Monday afternoon when she walked into the Weatherly Borough offices.

They greeted her with smiles and hugs as she was about to be recognized for her 50 years of services to the community as a registered nurse.

“I’m overwhelmed. I don’t even know what to say,” Murmello said, as she walked into the meeting room to a standing-room-only crowd.

Mayor/Council President Paul Hadzick invited her to the front of the room, and read a proclamation honoring her for her work in the community and health care systems.

“Weatherly Borough Council acknowledges and admires the commitment and patience Donna has provided to her patients during her loyal years of service,” Hadzick said.

“Her 50 years of exemplified service as a health care professional is the type of care we all aspire to have,” he concluded.

Hadzick opined that Murmello, who recently retired, likely took care of everyone gathered in the room at some point in her long career, and thanked her for kind, professional care.

He also joked that somehow in a small town they were able to keep the honor a secret and surprise her.