Killough postmistress retires after 30 years

Killough postmistress retires after 30 years

25 July 2018

FOR 30 years Lorraine McIlvenny has been at the heart of village life in Killough.

Working for the Post Office — first at Quay Lane and then running it from her home in Castle Street for nearly 20 years — she was known as someone who always went the extra mile for her customers.

So as she retired this week, family, friends and grateful customers gathered to say farewell and thank you to their favourite postmistress.

Lorraine has seen many changes over the years, none bigger than transitioning from a paper based system to a computerised one. She had to bring her customers on board, but she said it was no problem helping the people she called “my friends”.

“We worked them through it,” she said. “I just love helping my customers, especially the elderly.

“There is something about the rural setting that makes it special.”

“You may call me patient, but my family don’t say that,” she joked. “They say I’m not as patient with them as my customers.”

Originally from Belfast, Lorraine set up home in Killough with husband Joseph and daughters Kerry and Kim. She said she became very aware of the importance of the Post Office in more rural communities.

“One woman said to me recently: ‘You’re the only person I speak to apart from my husband from one day to the next’.

“It’s friendly with all the customers there, there is a social aspect.”

Despite Killough Post Office being attached to Lorraine’s house, it doesn’t seem to have felt too close to home.

“When I had the children with me it was very good,” she said. “I never had to travel very far — I just had to fall down the stairs to be at work.”

Lorraine is retiring to help look after her granddaughter Rosa and spend more time with her mum. And although sad at the thought of not seeing her customers everyday, she is happy that the Post Office has found a new home at Killough Pharmacy.

“It has become quite a focal point to come in to the Post Office so it is very important to keep that in the village,” Lorraine added.

Local woman Liz Jones was among those paying tribute to her on Monday and presenting flowers and gifts on behalf of local customers.

“Anything you wanted done Lorraine would help,” said Liz. “She was particularly helpful to all the pensioners, and when we went to do this collection not one person refused to contribute. 

“Lorraine has been a brilliant friend and neighbour. She has always been someone to talk to for people and all the customers are so sad she is going.”