Jean ends her golden days at M&S
A LOYAL employee who worked for the same famous chain store for half a century has finished her final shift.
Jean Southworth was a friendly face at Marks and Spencer branches from the age of 15 right up to her retirement, aged 65.
Last week Jean retired from the Rawtenstall branch, to which she relocated in March 2016 after 40 consecutive years at the former Accrington town centre store.
Prior to that, she spent five years working at the Blackburn M&S.
Throughout her time at the company the grandmother-of-two was involved with and organised plenty of charity events and celebrations, and was loved by staff and customers.
Her daughter Julie, whose partner is Aaron, said it was an emotional last day on Friday, and she was surprised by former colleagues who went to do a shop, as well as being interviewed on live radio!
She received a haul of presents, including flowers, chocolates, whisky, a 50-year gold badge, and will also be treated to a trip to London to meet company bosses when restrictions allow.
Now that she has retired Jean, who also has a son Paul, daughter-in-law Heather and sister Lorraine, will go on to volunteer at East Lancashire Hospice where she lost her beloved husband Jack 21 years ago to cancer. She will also look forward to spending adventures with her grandchildren Katie and Jack, and continuing her favourite hobbies of walking and dancing.
Julie said: “She was shaking when she came out and it was quite emotional. She is such a workaholic – getting up at 5am – and so it will be a massive change for her. That’s why she will be working at the hospice.”
Julie said her mum, who lives in Clayton-leMoors, had held a variety of roles with the company down the years, including store supervisor, on the shop floor and in the office.
“I think there’s only six people who had done 50 years at M&S. She is kind, caring and generous and would do anything for anybody,” she added.