Eileen lays down her lollipop after 45 years

Eileen lays down her lollipop after 45 years

19 September 2012 - by BY CIARA COLHOUN

SAINTFIELD woman Eileen Leckey is a familiar sight at the village crossroads where she has led school children to safety with her trademark lollipop for almost half a century.

But the much-loved school crossing patrol lady will hang up her lollipop for the last time later this month, calling an end to her 45-years in the job.

Eileen has helped hundreds of children arrive at school safely since she first took up her job in the 1960s.

Never dreaming that she would spend much of her working life in the same post, she said it is almost with some surprise that she has realised the passage of four-and-a-half decades.

With two growing schools to serve, Academy Primary School and St. Mary’s Primary School, and increasingly busy roads, she said it is with some relief that she can say she has never had an accident while helping her young charges over the years.

Mrs. Leckey said she never minded the poor weather she has braved over dozens of winters although she admitted she felt relieved when heavy rain fell during her stint on Monday afternoon to realise she has no more winters to face.

“The snow and cold never really bothered me, but when the rain came on heavy today I thought I would be glad to be able to look out at the bad weather rather than being in the middle of it,” she said.

“I will miss the children. In 45 years I have never had any that gave me any bother.

“This year I was off sick for the first time ever and their parents were so lovely to me as were the staff of both schools.

“It made me realise how appreciated I am doing this job.”

Mrs. Leckey said she had few plans for retirement.

“I don’t know what I will do with myself, unless somebody sends me on a cruise of course,” she joked. Academy Primary School principal, Mr. Stephen Moore, described Mrs. Leckey as a “living legend”, who was “known and loved by everyone.”

“She is one of life’s truly colourful, larger than life characters with a great sense of humour and a warm and caring personality,” he said.

“The children have all spoken of her in endearing terms as she has faithfully manned the junction at the Old Grand Jury Road in all weathers seeing many changes over 40 years.

“Never shy or short of a quip, even for me the principal, she got out of her sick bed last year when I was deputising for her, shouted out the front door “hey Mr. Moore you’re not doing that right.” I didn’t get it wrong on the second day.”