Cindy retires after 38 years service
AFTER finishing 38 years with the HSE, 33 of those in St. Olivers Hospital, it was time for Cindy McGauley from Finnabar Crescent to hang up her apron and retire. This was the reason I headed or the Lisdoo on Friday night to wish her all the best.
Also there ready to give her the send off she truly deserved was husband Don, daughters Keelin, Vicky, sons Don and Gavin, grandkids Jay, Shay, Kenzie, Leay, Zach and Logan and a huge collection of family and friends.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I got talking to brother-inlaw Ian McGauley from Ardee who was with Anita Taaffe and her dad Pat from Ravensdale and he wanted to wish Cindy all the best for the future.
Heading for a near table I then met up with Michael, Janette and Caitlin Rocks from Newry who were enjoying the company of Cindy’s sister Frances and Damian Mageean from Downpatrick who were all up for making it a real night to remember.
Seated close by were another two sisters in Veronica McKevitt and Rose Mulligan both from Newry who wanted to wish her all the best for the future.
Heading for one of the tables I then caught up with some of C indy’s workmates Pauline Cosgrove from Blackrock and Bernita Molloy from Littlemills who told me she is a wee dote, a pet and so, so easy to work with.
Also in their company were Rosie Winters from Point Road and Marian Redmond from Manydown Close who said they don’t know how she was going to be replaced, she is just great crack.
Not too far away I then met up with Imelda McMahon from Carrickmacross and Geraldine Grufferty from Drogheda who said they’ve worked with her for 35 years and she will be missed big time, she’s such great crack.
They were enjoying the night along with Lea Hennessy from Blackrock, Phil McConnell from Manydown Close and Margaret Marley from Castlebellingham who said she’s one of the best to work with and they were there to give her the send off she truly deserved.
I then got a quick word with Bride Quinn from Inniskeen who said she has been there for 30 years and Cindy was the first there she started and really made her feel at ease and is just a lovely girl.
Not too long later I then got talking to two more sisters in Catherine Campbell and Pauline McGrath both from Newry who were delighted to be there for her.
Finally, before I departed I got a word with Anita Taaffe who was with Cindy’s dad Pat and she was having a chat with Louise English from Fr. Murray Park and Joan McDonald from Lordship who had all worked with Cindy at some point and said she is a real character, will be sadly missed and there are stories, plenty of stories, some to be told and others, maybe not so!