Memories of
Nettie Kelly
By Walker
Regier
COMFREY – Recently Nettie Kelly retired from her job as
school secretary. She had been doing this job at the school for many years. She
will be missed a lot. I recently got in contact with some staff at the school
and asked them what Nettie meant to them or for a story about Nettie. Here are
some of the answers I got.
Amy Lee-Hesse: Music Director
“Since my first year of teaching and moving into the
community Nettie has been a valuable resource. She is always ready with
information about who you can and should contact when planning something.
She knows exactly who needs to have information when you are moving
forward with a plan and she knows just who to contact when you can't find the
answer. She is always ready to help whomever by having answers or by
directing them the right way. If you don't know exactly what she does for us
all at the school it might be easy to think that answering the phone and
applying the occasional bandage is what her day amounts to. That is only
a minute piece of what she does. The background work that she has performed in
really all aspects of the school cannot be overrated. She will be greatly
missed but also I wish her the best as she gets a chance to live by her
schedule instead of the school.”
Kris Evers: Administrative Assistant
“She means a
lot! She is a great friend and co-worker. We have had many memorable
times together. She is one of a kind and will be hard to replace. I have
been blessed to be able to work with her for so many years. Enjoy your
retirement!!”
Troy Stresemann: Custodian
“Whenever I went into the office she would always greet me
with a friendly hello and have a smile on her face. It always seemed like she
enjoyed her job because, she was never in a bad mood. If I asked her for
something, she would stop what she was doing and would help me with whatever I
needed.”
Bruce Stresemann: Custodian
“What I remember most about Nettie, in the late 70’s when I
was coaching football she would always prepare meals for the team. She was
often the lead mother to take charge. At Homecoming Coronation I remember
performing skits and hearing her laugh, her laugh would drown out anyone who
was talking. Nettie is a sweet lady she will drop whatever she is doing and
help you out. She is kind hearted, she will be hard to replace, and she gave
our school a good name.”
Brian Longerbone: Dean of Students/Activities Director
“Nettie is a security blanket, we will miss her, but she will
be around. She helped me out a lot with my new position this year when I became
the Dean of Students and the Activities Director. She welcomed everyone, every
morning which made you feel great. She will be remembered well.”
Kristen Hutchinson: Superintendent
“Nettie is the person I go to for answers about the way
things work around the school, so I will miss her very much. I have to ask
Nettie about the materials we need to give to new students, about how we're
supposed to run graduation, when we should tell teachers to turn in grades. The
list of things I've asked her over the past years goes on and on, and I'm sure
others would say the same. When I first came to Comfrey, I told a friend of
mine who had actually started her teaching career in Comfrey. Her first
question was, "Is Nettie still there?" I think a part of me hoped that
Nettie would always be here, and it was hard for me to hear her say she would
be leaving at the end of June. I would have refused to accept her resignation
if I could have, but she had decided the time was right, and I have to respect
that. I will miss her positive attitude and the smile I got from her every
morning, but I wish her the best.”
All these people will always remember Nettie and I’m sure if
you know her to then you would always remember her too. Nettie is just one of
the many people that make Comfrey a great place to be. Even though Nettie will no longer be at the
school, we definitely will see her around the community. Thank You Nettie for
all you do for us!
