By Kat Gay
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — With a combined 75 years of service to those at All Saints Catholic School, Nancy Osborne and Barb Anderson have done more than
administrative work; they have become a part of the All Saints family.
On May 25, Osborne and Anderson were presented a plaque after an all-school Mass at Holy Family Church commemorating their years of hard work and dedication at All Saints. Anderson retired last year, after 37 years as an administrative assistant. Osborne retired this year after 38 years.
Osborne and Anderson have become much more than co-workers; they’re friends. Prior to working at All Saints, their friendship began when they volunteered together and continued to grow as their children attended the school now known as All Saints.
The school’s family atmosphere played a role in keeping these ladies committed to their jobs for so long. “We’re just a family,” Anderson said.
This family idea goes beyond the friendship of these two ladies; they have gained longstanding relationships with their co-workers and the families that are a part of the All Saints community.
Osborne and Anderson don’t spend the work week together anymore, but that has not stopped them from getting together for card games, movies and to go out to eat. “It’s been a great friendship as a result of working together,” Osborne said.
Even with different waves of students and families coming through All Saints, the two former co-workers say that the family feeling continued as time went on. Through the years since their own children were attending Mass and classes at the school, the women have seen countless other children do the same.
“They were always friendly to anyone who walked through the front door,” Deb Frick, a fourth-grade teacher at All Saints, said. “They were so good with the kids and patient when dealing with parents and anyone who came in.”
A new era will begin at All Saints without Osborne and Anderson, but the plaque these ladies received will hang above the office door as a reminder of the impact that both of them had on the school.
“God has really blessed our school to have these two fabulous people for a combined 75 years,” Jeanne Von Feldt, All Saints principal, said.
“They have been the heartbeat of All Saints. We’re really happy for them and sad for us that they’re leaving. They have given us all their talents, their life, their time and they truly love our school.”
Both ladies have plans for their retirement. Anderson will get to do the things she did not have the chance to do while working. Osborne is going to spend some of her time traveling to different places on her bucket list, and has a trip to Ireland already planned.
“They are the most gracious and patient ladies,” Frick said. “They are very humble and helpful.”