Karen Hoffman, the first baby born at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, holds Brooklyn Minor, the last baby to be born at the hospital.

Brooklyn's mother Amy Patton says she was also born at SMH.

Amy and the father Ramond Minor drove from Front Royal to Woodstock for the birth of their son.

"It is sad that they are closing down, they were great. I have never been up here, I was born in Front Royal, but for being up here for him [Brooklyn] being born, they were great," says Ramond. Yeah, it is sad," adds Amy.

Karen was born October 1, 1951 and often returned to SMH to celebrate her birth. She returned Thursday as the birthing unit closed.

"It is kind-of sad to see this department close because it has so many memories and it is a community hospital, but business is business," says Hoffman.

Lisa Stokes, Vice President of Patient Services, says Shenandoah Memorial is a critical access hospital, limiting the vacancy to only 25 inpatients at a time.

The hospital is experiencing a high demand for health care for the older population in the area, combined with a low volume of births per year.

"It's a bitter-sweet moment, it's a sad time for us, but on the other hand, it's a happy time because we know that the women's care center at Warren Memorial Hospital is a beautiful facility and we know the patients will be well-taken care of there," says Stokes.

Even though the unit closed, Karen says she will always be proud to say she was born there.

"The staff here is incredibly awesome. They are the best around. I wouldn't go anywhere else except Shenandoah Memorial," adds Hoffman.

Patients can still come to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital for pre and post natal services, but the actual deliveries will be at Warren Memorial Hospital.