For students and parents alike, a regular fixture at Kelset elementary has always been the smiling face of school secretary Bonnie Patterson. Sadly, that’s all about to change, as Patterson will be retiring at the end of this year, marking the end of an era to some who see her as “irreplaceable.”
Patterson, 65, began her time in the school district volunteering for Sansbury school when her daughter Erin Dumont was a student there, 29 years ago.
Dumont simply describes her as the “mom who did it all”, from field trip driver to coordinating bake sales.
“Kids I went to school with think she was an employee long before she actually was, due to the amount of volunteering she did first,” said Dumont of her mom’s dedication.
Patterson’s tireless hours did not go unnoticed, as the volunteering eventually turned into a full-time job. She began working as the school secretary at McTavish elementary, until it closed its doors in 2008, when she transferred to Kelset.
Maria St. Amand, who teaches French at the school, has only good things to say about her friend of 17 years.
“She’s very dynamic, super approachable,” said St. Amand. “She’s always there for you, and knows what you need before you need it.”
Friends and family describe Patterson as the motherly type, with a day-to-day kindness that St. Amand says, “is natural for her.”
St. Amand says Patterson comes into work bright and early at 6 a.m. just so she can get work done, because she knows that she will be needed throughout the day. It is a dedication that St. Amand says goes over and above the call of duty.
The fun, welcoming sort, Patterson is often seen sitting at her desk wearing a headband for every occasion, even going as far as sporting a tiara to celebrate the recent royal wedding.
She is also well known for having desk drawers full of everything anyone could possibly ever need, whether that be spare office supplies, a candy, or even a collection of funny hats, just in case a child forgets theirs on Funny Hat Day.
St. Amand says the kids at the school feel so comfortable around Patterson, they often ask for her help in their schoolwork, to which she willingly obliges.
Her selfless mentality won Patterson the prestigious Governor General’s Medal of Bravery in 1987, an honour Dumont says Patterson is not quick to flash around, and is quite humble about.
While Patterson was getting her kids ready for a swim meet early one morning, a man lost control of his car going too fast around the corner near their house. Though the car had already caught on fire, Patterson and another neighbour instinctively sprung into action, quickly pulling the trapped man to safety.
“Although she may think this was not a big deal, the man whose life was saved would surely beg to differ,” said St. Amand.
Dumont explained that while she doesn’t seek acknowledgment for it, Patterson has always put others before herself, whether it be the kids at school or her own.
“She’s the grandma who goes to every single ball game,” said Dumont. “She’s pretty irreplaceable.”
St. Amand hopes that for Patterson, retirement will mean finally taking time out for herself, spending more time with family and friends.
Patterson will hang up the headband, so to speak, after the school term ends on June 30. A retirement tea is being held in her honour on June 22 at 3 p.m. at Kelset elementary.
St. Amand says that anyone who has ever known Bonnie Patterson is more than welcome to attend.