Sue McCoubrey, an ambitious teenager of 15 and straight from school when she started working for Manx Gas, is retiring after notching up 45 years with the company and becoming one of its most popular and devoted employees.

Now aged 61, Sue had been wavering about retiring for some months but the unexpected deaths of both her parents last year made the decision for her.

‘It brought it home how important it is to live for today, you just don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow,’ said Sue, regarded as the doyenne of customer sales and services, adding that she had beaten husband John’s total of 44 years with the company by a few months.

She said: ‘I’m now looking to totally change my life, want to do more charity work, plus travelling, walking, and even eat more healthily but I know I’m going to miss the people I work with and also the customers.

‘I’ve had a great time and loved every bit of working for the company over all those years, I appreciate everything they have done for me.

‘I have some great memories and it’s also where John and I met, but I’m now looking ahead to enjoying quality time.’

loyal

Managing director Ian Plenderleith said: ‘Sue, liked by both staff and customers, has been a loyal and outstanding employee for all those 45 years which is a wonderful achievement.

‘She will be missed by her colleagues but everybody wishes her a very enjoyable and well deserved retirement.’

It was 1973 and against the wishes of her parents that she applied and got the position of showroom junior with the then Douglas Gas Light company.

‘On hindsight I don’t know how I got the job after going to the interview in the 1970s fashion of micro mini skirt, fluffy yellow coat and high heel platform shoes.’

She added: ‘The then sales manager Howard Hampton came to my home to tell me I had got the job and assured my parents not to worry, stressing that I wouldn’t learn anything they didn’t want me to learn.

‘There were then only four or five females on the staff and no one in management was referred to by their first name.

‘It was always Mr, Mrs or Miss and even today I still find it difficult to refer to the managing director by his first name and that also applies to customers.

‘It goes back to being raised to respect my elders.’

The appointment three months ago of managing director Mr Plenderleith brings the total number of MDs that Sue has seen at the helm of Manx Gas to five.

‘First impressions of Mr Plenderleith are good, he is definitely customer service orientated and I’m sorry I’m not going to be here to see the changes he will make but I’m also looking forward to seeing it all as a customer.

‘While deciding on what the company want to do it’s also important to listen to the customers a bit more and perhaps agree a compromise.’

A passionate Everton supporter from the time she was a schoolgirl, Sue believes that player Wayne Rooney is ‘getting past it’.

A 61st birthday present from the customer services team are vouchers for the Steam Packet and a ticket to tour Goodison Park.

‘I’ve told John I want to be videoed coming out of the players’ tunnel to the Club’s Z Cars signature tune.’