After 20 years, a familiar face at the Taylor post office says goodbye

After 20 years at the Canada Post office in the District of Taylor, a familiar face behind the counter worked her final shift Friday, with friends and community members stopping in to make sure she didn't leave without a proper goodbye.

Photo from Renate's (on the left) last day at the office.

Renate, who has spent the past two decades working at the Taylor post office, officially retired Friday, Sept. 11, bringing a long run behind the counter to an end.

Word of her final day had made its way around Facebook beforehand, along with an invitation for anyone who knew her to stop in between 1 and 4 p.m. and wish her well.

Snacks and drinks were set out for those who came through during the afternoon, giving people a chance to visit, congratulate Renate on her retirement and share a few words before she finished up for the last time.

After 20 years, there are bound to be a lot of familiar faces on both sides of a post office counter, especially in a small northern community like Taylor, where a quick trip to grab the mail can just as easily turn into a conversation with somebody you've known for years.

The Alaska Highway News was happy to make it down Friday afternoon as well, both to grab a photo and, more importantly, to congratulate Renate in person.

Twenty years is a pretty good run, and whatever retirement has in store from here, we hope there's a little more time for the things she enjoys and considerably fewer shifts behind the counter.

Congratulations on your retirement, Renate, and all the best in whatever comes next.