It was the end of an era when Jean Gotts said goodbye to colleagues and residents and hello to retirement after 37 years working at Ferney Lee Old People’s Home, Todmorden, last Friday.
Jean, who is 60, retired after almost four decades at Ferney Lee, a career in which she began as a care assistant, workied in the home’s office on administration and then became residential team leader, a post she has held for the past 23 years.
If it seems like a lengthy stint, it feels like a busy career gone by quickly, and one that has been rewarding, said Jean.
“It’s flown by. It doesn’t seem like it!
“If I go home at the end of the day and I have made the day brighter and happier for residents, I am content,” she said.
Jean said her retirement party summed up what she had enjoyed about her time working at Ferney Lee.
“There are friends, relatives, residents and their relatives and relatives of people I have looked after in the past,” she said.
Married to Dave, and with a daughter, Cheryl, and grandson, 13-year-old Ewan, Jean said she had no concrete plans as to how she would spend her retirement, but after a busy working life now had time to take stock. “I look forward to not having to watch the clock and taking my time,” she said.
She said her party was also special as two of the residents were celebrating birthdays the same weekend, creating a feelgood factor that all at Ferney Lee were able to enjoy.
Lilian Fountain was celebrating her 99th birthday on the Saturday. Lilian’s late husband, Police Sgt John Fountain, was very well known in town and her family - sons John, David, Paul and Rodney and other relatives were joining her to celebrate.
And on the same day as Lilian Sylvia Halliwell was celebrating her 88th birthday. Sylvia said she had many memorable moments in life, including the very special occasion when she and her husband Frank, who died three years ago, went to Buckingham Palace as one of the couple’s who shared their Golden Wedding year with the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.