The longest-serving worker for Oleander Cycles joined the company shortly after its launch in the mid-1960s and proved a capable hand in running different branches throughout much of her life.

Judith Simons was recalled by the business’s founder, John Leseur, as “a wonderful person” who worked alongside him as he embarked on a new business renting two-wheeled transport, at a time when the island was packed with competition.

The business thrived — and Ms Simons became its longest-serving employee by far, continuing to work part-time until illness forced her to retire.

A perfectionist when it came to service, Ms Simons earned a following among Oleander customers.

Her daughter, Valere Charles, said: “She was the most dedicated person I've ever known.”

Ms Charles said the company’s Motoblock branch was her mother’s “pride and joy”.

“She always greeted everyone with her huge dimpled smile. This often made up for the late arrival when they would all be stood outside waiting past the 9am open sign.

“She'd often deflect the fact that she was late by commenting on someone’s shoes or outfits.

“She had seen and tested so many tourists to the island and most returned year after year, even bringing their children to meet Miss Judy.

“Nothing was ever too much for her to explain and give advice, or show you on her trusted map. She loved speaking to them and learning where they were from, and she often knew their homes, as she was a keen traveller.”

Ms Charles said her mother was so well remembered by tourists that people would call from overseas to check on her when they saw that a hurricane was headed for the island.

She put her grandchildren to work at the shop during summers, and enjoyed introducing them to returning renters.

Ms Charles added: “It's been difficult on all of us as family to return and not have her presence greeting us at the airport, or hearing the familiar sound of her voice laughing at all the stories we would tell.

“But a memory is something always remembered and can often fill the emptiest space in our hearts.

“Mum loved that place, and I hope that Oleander will remember her always. I can't see anyone else willing to give near 60 years of their life.”

Mr Leseur recalled that in the early days of the business, the island had roughly 7,000 mopeds available and 14 cycle liveries.

He added: “She basically ran the shop with me. She was great with people and a great person — we got along extremely well.”

Ms Simons was still at Oleander in 2006, when Mr Leseur retired.

An article from 1980 in The Royal Gazette described her rise in the company and highlighted that she had progressed to become assistant manager.

It noted that Ms Simons began when she and Mr Leseur were the only two employees, adding: “She was the receptionist, cashier or anything that needed to be done in the office.

“Today, Oleander Cycles Limited, with its impressive headquarters in Valley Road in Paget, has branch shops at the Reefs Beach Club and Harmony Hall, and they have a newly opened and renovated showroom in Hamilton at Oleander Cycles, Motoblock branch, Gorham Road.”

Tourism in Bermuda was at its peak by the time of the article, and the company employed 35 to 40 people during the tourist season, with a rental fleet of 1,000 auxiliary cycles plying Bermuda’s roads.

Mr Leseur started the business from the basement of the Buena Vista guesthouse on Harbour Road, and it was incorporated in 1964.

Ms Simons was still with Oleander more than 40 years later when Mr Leseur retired and sold the business.

More recently she was manager at the St George’s branch. Oleander today has eight locations across the island.

Michael Leseur, a former general manager, said: “No doubt, she was the longest-serving person in the business — she was there when I was and still there when I left.

“She was probably working part-time towards the end of her life, although her part-time would end up being six, seven, eight hours. That’s the type of person she was.”

He said Ms Simons worked in “just about every branch that the shop had, certainly all the major ones”.

Mr Leseur added that her engaging personality made her a favourite with visitors.

“She had a lot of people who would look her up when they came to the island,” he said.

“She was very outgoing, very personable, a lovely person who always had a smile.

“She was conscientious and fastidious in ensuring there was a place for everything and everything was kept in its place. She was also a good friend.”

Wanda Swainson, a former colleague, said Ms Simons had a way with people and always greeted customers with a “good morning” or “good afternoon”.

“She worked there over 50 years. I did 35 before Covid — I found her there and I left her there,” she said.

“Judith was a wonderful lady. She loved her job and the people she met; she was always early for work and the last one to leave. Whether they were tourists or locals, she made an impression on her customers, and they would come back for her.

“I worked with her at the Hamilton shop, and she was a stickler for good service. She did not like stuff to be out of place. She worked at Oleander right up until the last minute.”

A celebration of Ms Simons’s life is planned for 4.30pm on Saturday at Vernon Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Southampton.

• Judith Valere Lynette Simons, who rose to manager at Oleander Cycles over an almost lifelong career, was born on November 8, 1944. She died in March 2024, aged 79