A familiar face at a Lisnaskea Primary School, bid farewell last week after 50 years of service.

Josie O’Rourke, part of the kitchen staff, first at St. Ronan’s retired from her job on Wednesday, March 31.

The end of the school term which finished for the Easter break was tinged with sadness at the retirement of one of its longest serving employees.

Send off

A special socially-distanced send-off was held for Josie the day before her retirement as colleagues in the kitchen said goodbye with a tea party, presentations and speeches.

“They recalled stories of working with Josie; her quiet nature, hard work and even her sense of wit,” said St. Kevin’s principal, Brian McGrath.

Josie only intended to stay a few days when she first started work at the then St. Ronan’s Primary School kitchen after it was built in 1970/71.

She witnessed the unpacking and installation of the first equipment to be utilised in the kitchen. Since then she has witnessed many changes, including an extension to the building once the former St. Comghall’s School was completed.

She has seen many children from Lisnaskea and the surrounding area pass through, watched both schools grow over the years and in more recent times saw the closure of the kitchen for two lengthy periods due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his presentation to Josie, Mr. McGrath, spoke of the quiet lady “who was there day after day preparing food for the children”. He wished Josie every happiness and good health in her well-deserved retirement.