50 year milestone is ‘wee buns’ for McKenzie’s Isabel Keenan

Isabel is also renowned for coming to work with buns for the staff, so it was fitting that owners, Adrian and Peter Rice, should mark the occasion with a bouquet not only of fragrant flowers, but of cute cupcakes.

“Isabel has been working in McKenzie’s Pharmacy since 1971,” said Adrian Rice. “I took over the business in 1985 and there is no doubt that Isabel has been an exceptional employee. On top of the fact that she has never missed a day, a major achievement in anyone’s employment history, she’s also never been late.

“She’s famous for buying the buns every morning and makes the tea to go along with them! Throughout the 36 years that I’ve been in the pharmacy, Isabel has been a superb employee and sets the standards for everyone to follow. After all this time, however, I’d like to think that Isabel is a friend rather than an employee.”

Adrian’s son, Peter Rice continued: “Today’s really a celebration of Isabel’s outstanding achievement over the last 50 years. She has always shown, and continues to show, real dedication and commitment to not just the pharmacy itself but the community around here. McKenzie’s Pharmacy has a reputation for keeping staff for long periods of time. In fact, we currently have a number of staff who have more than 35 years of service, but we really felt that 50 years service really is a milestone and so we had to mark it in a really big way. It’s unfortunate that we can’t do more to mark the occasion because of the pandemic, but I think we have shown Isabel how much she is a massively valued member of the team and how we really do view her as one of the family here.”

Isabel added: “I’m a bit overwhelmed to be honest. I’ve loved every minute that I’ve worked here for the last 50 years. There have been some tough times, particularly during The Troubles, but the local community has always been welcoming and friendly.

“I know most of the people around here and count many of them as friends, not to mention the staff that I work with. The last 50 years have flown by and coming to work each morning has been a pleasure but, as they say, when you love what you do, it’s not really like work!”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you