More Than a Pin

How a request from Marylyn Herman's daughter helped the Red Cross honor the legacy of a Pueblo nurse

Two men stand next to a woman, holding a certificate of appreciation. All are smiling. Red Cross memorabilia is in the background.

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Norma Verhoeff receives a certificate of appreciation from Red Cross of Southern Colorado Executive Director Phil Martinez and Community Disaster Program Manager Clark Buck, recognizing her family's return of Marylyn Herman's Red Cross nurse's pin. Photo by Kate Walters, American Red Cross

Woman holding a shadow box full of Red Cross mementos

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Norma Verhoeff displays a shadow box honoring her mother's nursing and Red Cross service. Photo by Kate Walters, American Red Cross

A woman in a wheelchair sits next to a large display of memorabilia and mementos honoring her nursing service

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Earlier this year, Marylyn Herman sat beside a display celebrating her life, nursing career and commitment to service. Months later, her family honored one of her final wishes by returning her Red Cross nurse's pin to the American Red Cross. Photo provided by Norma Verhoeff

A woman, seated, holding a Red Cross pin

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Norma Verhoeff holds the Red Cross nurse's pin her mother received in 1972. Photo by Kate Walters, American Red Cross

A journal with written notes on the inside cover and a woman's photo visible on a page. It is black and white and she is wearing a nurse's outfit.

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Marylyn Herman's nursing school portrait from the Minnequa School of Nursing at Corwin Hospital, Class of 1949. Photo by Kate Walters, American Red Cross

A man holds a shadow box in front of a large cabinet

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Volunteer Dave Duran prepares to place Marylyn Herman's display in its new permanent home at the Pueblo Red Cross office. Photo by Kate Walters, American Red Cross

A shadow box of memorabilia inside of a cabinet

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More than 50 years after receiving her Red Cross nurse's pin, Marylyn Herman's carefully preserved documents, photographs, and memories now help tell her story from a permanent display at the Pueblo Red Cross office. Photo by Kate Walters, American Red Cross

June 05, 2026

By Kate Walters, American Red Cross

When Norma Verhoeff walked into the American Red Cross office in Pueblo this spring, she carried a small pin with a big story.

The pin had belonged to her mother, Marylyn Herman, a nurse who graduated from the Minnequa School of Nursing at Corwin Hospital in 1949 and later joined the American Red Cross Nursing Service. For more than 50 years, Marylyn carefully preserved the pin alongside her appointment card, photographs and a letter explaining that after her death, the pin should either be buried with her or returned to the Red Cross.

Norma chose to honor her mother's wishes.

In May, she met with Red Cross volunteers in Pueblo, where she shared her mother's story and entrusted the pin and accompanying memorabilia to the organization Marylyn had valued so highly.

Marylyn's career was deeply rooted in Pueblo. She cared for patients at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital and later worked as a nurse at CF&I Steel. Beyond her professional work, she volunteered with the Red Cross First Aid station at the Colorado State Fair, extending her commitment to service into the community she called home.

Historically, Red Cross nurses represented more than a profession alone. They were trained nurses willing to place their skills in service to communities during disasters, emergencies, public health efforts and times of crisis. Marylyn's appointment letter described the nurse's pin as "a distinctive symbol of professional attainment and service to humanity."

"She was proud of being a nurse," Norma said. "That wasn't just what she did. It was who she was."

During the visit, Debby MacSwain, a Vietnam-era "Donut Dolly" and Red Cross volunteer of nearly six decades, reflected on the significance of the returned pin.

"This is one of the most important things a person can receive with the Red Cross — the nurse's pin," MacSwain said. "It shows her dedication to service, responsibility and her commitment to helping others."

Then she offered a perspective that resonated with the family.

"There are military veterans," she said, "but your mom's a Red Cross veteran."

Inspired by Marylyn's story and her lifelong connection to Pueblo, Red Cross volunteers decided to preserve the collection she left behind. A shadow box containing her nurse's pin, appointment card and original Red Cross documents now resides at the Pueblo Red Cross office.

"This isn't just Red Cross history—it's Pueblo history," said Dave Duran, a longtime Red Cross volunteer and lifelong Pueblo resident. "Marylyn served this community, trained here, and lived here. Keeping this display in Pueblo helps ensure that her story, and the story of Red Cross service in our community, won't be forgotten."

More than a keepsake, the display honors a lifetime of humanitarian service and preserves a piece of Pueblo's Red Cross history for future generations.