Retirees Feted By The Jamaica Information Service

On Saturday, December 7, Retirees of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Ms. Lillieth Richards, Office Attendant, and Ms. Dolet McPherson, part-time Office Attendant, were treated royally by the agency at its Christmas Soiree, held at the Terra Nova Hotel, in Kingston, on December 7.

Ms. Richards, affectionately called “Miss Lil”, and Ms. McPherson were each presented with a watch and a plaque at the posh event.

Miss Lil, who worked at the JIS for 25 years, told JIS News that she felt really special to be honoured and she was appreciative of the agency’s kind gesture.

“I was very surprised and mi feel real good,” she said.

According to Ms. Richards, her time at the JIS was one of the best periods in her life and the treatment she received made the company stood out from all the other places she had worked.

“Working at the JIS was very, very good,” she said.

The mother of three, who joined the JIS on July 27, 1994, as a part-time Office Attendant, was described by her colleagues as quiet, but very meticulous and diligent in her duties.

Miss Lil, who once aspired to become a nurse but never realised her dream because of financial challenges, said although she had not made a conscious decision to remain at the company for so long, the treatment she received and the friends she made were the main reasons why she stayed for over two decades.

“It was good working at the JIS and some of the people there, they give you jokes, they rap with you and made you feel at home,” she said.

Ms. Richards retired on July 31 of this year.

Like Miss Lil, Ms. McPherson was proud of her award, which she said, “warmed her heart immensely.”

“I felt very good about it and I appreciate it very much that they consider me and remember about me,” said Ms. McPherson, who worked at the agency for 14 years.

For her, the experience at the JIS was mostly good.

“You just have to know how to apply yourself and try to understand the different departments and the people who work there,” Ms. McPherson said.

“To me, JIS is a good place to work. Most of the people there are friendly, it’s like a family, but you have to do your work to the best of your ability and I tried to do my best,” she added.

Miss McPherson, who said goodbye to the agency last February, said the overall treatment she received was pleasant.

“I really enjoyed what I was doing and every now and again I was encouraged by people who tell me that they like how I worked,” she said.

“The best thing about my job was being able to make the place clean and presentable for the workers, because they can’t really work in a dirty place,” Ms. McPherson added.

She also lauded the JIS for playing a part in her growth and development, while noting that she had been sent by the company to pursue a course in housekeeping, at which she learnt a lot.