Virginia Webb, 87, is a mother of three grown children and a grandmother to four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

But rather than dote on them all, she likes to spend much of her time working full-time as a sterilization technician at Dr. Bill Wiggins’ general dentistry practice on South Hill.

For the past 24 years, Webb has hardly missed a day —taking charge of sterilizing dental tools, doing inventory control, setting up and tearing down examining rooms, answering phones, assisting dental hygienists and greeting patients when they arrive for their appointment.

“I think people should work for as long as they have good health,” Webb said. “I have a great boss. I enjoy working here with everyone.”

On May 15, 1989, Webb started working at Wiggins’ office. Wiggins was in need of a sterilization technician and was referred to Webb through a now defunct program at Good Samaritan Hospital called Adult Day Health, which trained older people looking for work.

At age 55 Webb’s husband Ernie passed away. Up until then, Webb had been a stay-at-home mom. Suddenly, Webb was compelled to look for work.

When Wiggins came calling, Webb took it wholeheartedly.

Webb admits that at first there was a learning curve to the job. But today, Webb comes in like clockwork and gets the job done.

“Virginia is a great worker,” Wiggins said. “She comes in everyday on time. She is dependable and never sick.”

Except 18 years ago when Webb was so ambitious she worked herself through a stroke and finished her hours before heading to the hospital to be treated. Besides the two weeks she was gone during her recovery, her colleagues attest she has never missed a day.

Wiggins remembers visiting Webb at the hospital and she told him, with a pointed finger, “Don’t you give up my job!”

Sally Stoltenberg, a dental hygienist, was there in 1989 when Webb arrived. Stoltenberg has been at Wiggins’ office for 25 years.

“It’s been an awesome experience,” Stoltenberg said. “We’ve seen our kids grow up, our grandkids grow up, and our patients growing up and having kids.”

Wiggins said Webb has always been well-loved by patients who come year after year. When patients come for their appointment they expect Webb to be there.

“A lot of patients have known her for a long time,” Wiggins said.

Most of all, Wiggins said Webb is a daily inspiration for he and his staff to keep going along.

“We’re in our 50s and we complain about being old,” Wiggins said. “And here we have someone with 30 years on us and she doesn’t complain a bit.”

Webb is fully vested in the employee retirement plan and benefits package. She hasn’t drawn from it. It’s her nest egg, she said. She said retiring isn’t something she is considering anytime soon.

Reporter Andrew Fickes can be reached at 253-552-7001 or by email at andrew.fickes@puyallupherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @herald_andrew.