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Post office clerk retiring after 34 years

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Patty Enman, who has been working at the Farmington Post Office since 1983, will be retiring at the end of the month.

FARMINGTON – A familiar face won’t be welcoming residents to the Farmington Post Office next month, as a long-time employee steps out from behind the clerk’s window after nearly 35 years.

Patty Enman’s last day is Thursday, March 29. She’ll be celebrating it with a little party in the lobby of the post office, handing out treats beside the window she’s worked behind for more than three decades. Enman said that she remembers some of her younger customers back when she first started; now they have children of their own.

“I’ve seen so many kids grow up through the years,” Enman, now 62, said. There are 800 boxes at her office, most of their owners come in daily to get their mail. “Losing one, over the years,” Enman said, “it’s like losing members of a family.”

Enman was hired as a rural route carrier in 1983, working out of a Farmington office. She was a substitute, backing up an established carrier, so when a position opened up in the post office as a full-time window clerk, Enman jumped.

“There was more chance for advancement,” she explained. “I’ve been on the window ever since.”

More than just the customers have changed over the past 34 years, Enman said. The office runs eight routes with as many as 25 employees, counting subs, and technology has changed the way all of the employees work. Clerks can cash out quicker at the end of the day with computerized work stations; Enman recalled spending 45 minutes or more sorting through the day’s money orders on old adding machines. Mail isn’t boxed anymore, it’s just transported to a big sorting machine in a tub. Additionally, Enman said, the use of email and other forms of communication had reduced the amount of material the office received. Fewer employees are required to distribute and load the mail.

Enman has worked under three postmasters, including Roger Nadeau for five or six years, then Richard Knight up until 10 years ago, when the current postmaster, Sue Jones, took over.

A Farmington resident, Enman won’t be going far. She purchased the party store on the Wilton Road – Celebrations Unlimited – and now intends to run it full time.

“I’ll still be around,” Enman said, smiling.

Enman will be at the post office handing out treats from 9 to 2 p.m. on March 29, her last day of work.

 

 

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29 Comments

  2. Good for you Patty! I forgot that you are ten years younger than me so you could retire. How time flies. Enjoy!! Love Ya, Pam

  3. Congratulations Patty….you’ll love retirement….thanks for all your help when I worked there. It won’t be the same without you.

  7. Very HAPPY for you, Patty….a job extremely well done! Your smile & friendliness was always appreciated.
    Best Wishes for a wonderful retirement!

  9. Patty, Congratulations on your retirement. You will be missed by everyone. 34 years of dedicated service.
    Enjoy retirement and have fun!!

    Audrey Brown

  10. It has been a great pleasure to be served by Patty and she will certainly be missed.

  11. Best wishes to long time friend, enjoy your retirement!
    Much Happiness and Best of Luck,
    Evelyn

  13. Patty has always been wonderful to deal with at the counter. I will miss you, Patty, but wish you all the best. You deserve it!

  14. Thanks Patty for the smile and the cooperative attitude you have shown over the years. Retirement isn’t bad at all. Clyde

  15. Congratulations on your retirement, Patty. I will miss seeing you at the PO counter. Maybe I need to plan more parties!

  18. Best wishes! I’ll miss your friendly face – enjoy your well-deserved retirement

  20. ‘Bout Time, Girlfriend! Congratulations! You have earned it💗. Hoping to stop in more often at the store and catch up! Enjoy your last day! Love ya, Ann

  22. Congratulations Patty. Now you can spend more time at the horse races in the fall. See you at the fair.

  25. Thank you, Patty, for the wonderful service and the smiling face I have enjoyed over many, many summers in the Farmington area, Enjoy every moment of your retirement; it is well-earned!! My best to you always!

  26. Patty, thank you for your dedication and excellent service. You will be missed but I’m sure I will see you around town.
    Congratulations!

  27. Patty, I’m thinking you’re too much younger than I am — how can you be ready for retirement? But the party store will keep you moving, I know! Enjoy “retirement” — and congratulations on your long service at the Post Office windows!

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