Best wishes: Mayo woman retires after almost 60 years of service

Best wishes are extended to Josie Prendergast on her retirement from the staff of Heneghan’s Pharmacy in Kiltimagh. Josie, who retired last Wednesday, had worked for almost sixty years in the town.

“It’s time to retire now,” Josie told the Western People on her last day at work. “It’s my birthday today and I think it is time to go home. I started in Mrs Reilly’s Chemist shop when I was 14 – a summer job – and I have been working since – just short of sixty years. That’s long enough.” 

Josie says that her fondest memory of her long career working in Kiltimagh was when she was 19 and opened her own business.

“I set up as a hairdresser in Aiden Street; that was very special. I moved the business to Chapel Street and Thomas Street, then finally back to Aiden Street again. After that I went to Mooney’s shop – ‘The Village News’ – and I really enjoyed fifteen years there, and we’re still great friends to this day. Then, Nuala Gleeson, a lady from Claremorris took over the shop after that, and I was there for five years, working with her."

When she applied for the job at Heneghan’s 18 years ago, she had no idea what was involved.

“I saw an advert in the Western People and I applied for it. Gary (Smyth) took over from the Heneghan family 26 years ago and I joined eight years later. I had no idea from the ad, where or what, the job was. I applied, and a week or so later, I was invited for interview. I remember the job interview well. I had two other interviews the same day but I spent so long chatting with Gary that I missed the other two!” 

Josie is a warm, affable and professional lady, and it is easy to see how the interview would roll on. Her appointment was a key move in the development of the business.

Josie’s niece, Orla Gibney described Josie’s working life as “a masterpiece - a legacy of beauty, warmth, and care".

"As a little girl, I often wondered why people went to hairdressers just to have their hair washed. But you, with your extraordinary touch, made everyone feel special. As I got older I realised it was never just about their hair; you lifted their spirits and always gave them a listening ear.” 

That warmth and care were overwhelming as we chatted on Wednesday, with customer after customer popping in with cards and hugs of deep affection and appreciation. Josie’s warmth is infectious.

Orla described Josie as a constant confidante, the town's very own agony aunt who made a real difference in so many lives.

“The care and healing offered to everyone who walked through the doors of everywhere Josie worked over the six decades, are immeasurable.” 

Josie said she would miss the job.

“I will miss it terribly. I will miss the people the most. I like talking and interacting with people and I have my own sort of counselling corner in the shop, behind the cosmetics counter, where people come in with personal problems and we have a chat. I have a lot of experience in life myself with ups and downs and it’s nice to have a chat with customers.

“I had no specific job here in Heneghan’s, but I loved working behind the cosmetics counter with the perfume, the jewellery and the scarves."

As to what she will do next, Josie has short-term plans.

“We have a few things lined up as a family over the next couple of weeks. Like everyone else that’s working, I have a bit of work to do at home. These are the immediate priorities. I have been working three days a week the past couple of years. I took Fridays off after Covid, and the last two years I have worked Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Before that, I worked five days every week. I have been cutting back in preparation for this day. I have been thinking about it for a while. 

"My son, who works in the Cheshire Home, has been on to me to retire as have my nephews and nieces. I decided to go this year because my birthday was falling on a Wednesday – which is the end of my working week. But retirement will be a shock. I know it will be. I may do something voluntary a day a week or so, to keep in touch with people.” 

Josie has witnessed a lot of changes in the town since she started working.

“We had 21 pubs when I started, now we have five and the two hotels. We had loads and loads of shops and most of them are gone now. I miss them. There are an awful lot of changes really. It’s still a good town, but it is different. The people are always very friendly and when people come from different nationalities, the locals always make them feel very welcome.” 

Josie has also noticed another change in people over her working life.

“People are more in a hurry now than what they used to be when I started off but still when they come in here to the chemist shop they like to stop and have a chat – especially the older people. I feel older people need time. They are just as important as the younger people, maybe more important.” 

Josie also noticed the change in technology down through the years.

“When I started you put the money in a money box or biscuit tin or whatever you had. Nowadays, it’s all technology. When I started here if there was as much technology as there is today, with scanners and computers, I don’t know if I would have applied for the job, but I just got into it as I went along, and the staff here have always been very helpful to me.

“Gary Smyth has been a great boss to me. I have been very lucky with the three bosses I have had in my lifetime, and we all remain great friends.” 

Josie will miss the job and working in the town.

“I am sad leaving, especially with all the messages and cards I am getting it is very emotional, but it’s time to go and I will do something different.”