PARSIPPANY, N.J.–A 99-year-old employee of Garden Savings FCU has finally announced her retirement.
Helen Rykowski, who originally retired from her first career more than 33 years ago when she joined Garden Savings in its file room at 66 years of age, is now leaving the credit union.
“Helen really embodies the spirit of hard work and dedication that is so hard to come by. She truly is one of a kind,” said Garden Savings’ President and CEO Lou Vetere in a statement. “She came to work every day with a smile on her face and was a joy to work with for all of these years. Our members and staff all love her. She will be sorely missed here at Garden Savings but we know she will be coming around to say hello quite often and we look forward to that.”
Vetere noted that Rykowski drove herself each day to work all the way up until a few years ago. The credit union said Rykowski now plans to explore her options and see if it’s time to start up a third career sometime soon.
Garden Savings FCU threw a going away party for Rykowski last week complete with a catered lunch that was attended by the entire staff as well as two of Rykowski’s daughters and some of her personal friends. Both Garden Savings and the New Jersey Credit Union League presented her with a plaque for her dedicated years of service.