Judith Roberts was given a tremendous send-off after nearly 40 years in pathology.... well, 39 years, one month and seven days.

There were so many tears in pahology staff room  the photo had to be delayed to let everyone recover!

Clinical director, Gavin Boyd delivered a touching farewell speech supported by lots of gossip from her team and referenced her love for shopping and a terrific legacy of setting up the anticoagulant service for  "thousands of patients."  

He  thanked for always bringing good news  about the service to meetings  and said he wished there was champers to add extra fizz to the special moment. An emotional Judith wiped tears from her eyes as colleagues gave her a hearty round of applause.

Gavin said: " I am reliably informed that you started work on Monday 24th September, 1979, exactly 39 years 1 month and 7 days ago. You were a BMS 1 in Haematology.  Margaret Thatcher had been PM for 4 months, a pint of milk cost 15p, and  ‘Message in a Bottle’ by The Police was number one in the charts.

"Before this however, you were at Greenhead High SchooI for Girls, where, for the last two years of your schooling, it became Greenhead College – that’s when they let the boys in, and, I’m told, these were the best two years you ever had at school.

"Whilst a school girl, you worked, for Etam and Chelsea Girl to get some spending money, because a little bird told me that you might quite like to shop?

"When you started work with HRI, you  had to go to Uni one day a week, 9 – 9, but again, I’m told that maybe you prioritised shopping, and had to be careful to avoid cameras filming for Look North in Leeds City Centre?!

"I wonder if I am missing something in the timeline, but by 2003 you were a BMS2 , and in 2009 became the laboratory manager for Haematology.

"You were instrumental in setting up the Anticoagulant Service, which I think I am probably correct in thinking this is one of your proudest achievements? This has had a huge, positive impact on the many thousands of patients this service will have catered for over the years, and will continue to do so long after today. What a great legacy!

"You’ve also led on POCT, mortuary and phlebotomy, and I’ve always appreciated you bringing some positive feedback about these services to the governance board meetings, and not only complaints.

"I daresay that today you are going through a range emotions – retirement must be an exciting, yet daunting time. But when you walk through the door for the last time, there is no doubt in my mind that you should leave with a sense of pride and satisfaction for a job well done. I am sure I speak for us all, when I say thank you for your many years of service, dedication, help and support.

It’s a pity that we don’t all have a glass of champagne in our hands so that we can toast you, so we’ll move on to presents.