New York: Melba Mebane is a remarkable lady.
She worked till the age of 90 before retiring last month.
She worked at a department store 74 years.
But, the most significant achievement of the grand old American lady from Texas is that she never missed a day’s work in a marathon career.
Melba, who retired from Dillard’s department store, never even called in sick, leave alone take any leave, according to Fox News.
Melba started her career as an ‘elevator girl’ at the Mayer & Schmidt department store in Tyler, Texas, in 1949.
She then worked in men’s clothing section and cosmetology department in later years, with the store being acquired by Dillard’s in 1956.
“Melba sets the tone for everything, every expectation, every customer service quality that we look for in a luxury experience,” Fox News quoted store manager James Saenz as saying.
“She provides all of it to the team. Can you imagine how many people she coached and taught and trained to aspire to be more?” said Saenz, who has known Melba for 65 years.
“She’s not just a salesperson, she’s a mother. She guides you. She gives you advice on life. She’s amazing,” he added.
A single mother, Melba now plans to rest, travel and eat good food.
“I loved everybody there, and I loved to go to work every day,” Melba told ABC affiliate KAKE.
The store arranged a celebration for Melba to honour her decades of work and dedication. She was also presented a certificate of excellence award for being the store’s longest-working employee.
