Carol Quayle loved her job with an island law firm so much that she stayed for 45 years.

The Manxwoman was 17 and known as Carol Kelly when she joined Simcocks Advocates in 1975 as a legal secretary.

She remembers the company, then in Athol Street, Douglas, as ’being like a family’ in those early years.

She first worked for Howard Simcocks in 1975 as a legal secretary, when the team numbered only 10 people.

And she said she learned a great deal from Mr Simcocks and his assistant Helen Kinvig.

Mrs Quayle recalled Mr Simcocks being very patient, explaining processes to her with amazing accuracy considering he was blind, and displaying an uncanny memory.

She learnt to work on several areas of law but spent most of her career specialising in the conveyancy of residential property, and was senior conveyancing manager for many years.

She said that over the years as Simcocks eventually moved to Ridgeway House in Ridgeway Street, she got to know generations of clients.

She also adjusted to technology as a manual typewriter was replaced by an electric one and then there was the dawn of desk computers.

Mrs Quayle, 63, told Business News she enjoyed her job so much that she never even contemplated working anywhere else.

She has been married to Billy Quayle for the last 41 years and they live in Higher Foxdale.

In retirement with her husband, a former builder, they plan to travel more in the future including holidays in New Zealand.

The directors took Mrs Quayle out for a celebratory lunch before the Christmas break, along with some colleagues past and present.

Phil Games, chief executive who worked with Mrs Quayle since he joined Simcocks in the 1980s, said: ’It’s rare to see such longevity at one company, and I think it’s testament both to Carol’s tenacity and loyalty, and the nurturing culture at Simcocks.

’She has been an invaluable member of the team for many years, offering knowledge, enthusiasm and common sense.

’We will miss her but I know that she will enjoy the next adventure.’

Also celebrating a big milestone at Simcocks is Search Clerk, Julie Moore, who celebrates 25 years at the company this week.