Jean Artt was given a wonderful birthday surprise when crowds of adoring pupils surrounded her on her suprise 75th birthday party.
Dinner lady Jean, who is affectionately known as “nana”, was the centre of attention at her birthday dinner in the hall of Unity City Academy (UCA).
Jean has worked as a dinner lady for the past 43 years and is thought to be Middlesbrough’s oldest dinner lady.
Principal of UCA, Pat Towey, described Jean as the “eyes and ears” of the academy as she knows every one of the 750 pupils.
Jean used to work at the Langbaurgh School in Middlesbrough, before it closed and UCA opened.
She said that the job is what kept her going after she lost both her daughter and her husband.
Jean said: “I lost my daughter June when she was 16 and my husband when he was 55 and going to work has just kept me going. I always enjoyed school and I get on with all the kids and enjoy working with the kids too.”
She has another daughter Barbara Swales, 51, and four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Jean said that her role has changed over the years and five years ago she completed an NVQ in cleaning.
“Everything has changed – in the old school we had prefects. The children have changed but I still get on with them – if you get on with children they get on with you.”
Ms Towey said: “June knows the children out of the academy so she is like our eyes and ears in the community. We want to show our gratitude for all the work she does.”