When Mrs. Judith (Judy) R.C. Ratteray decided she would retire after 42 years in the teaching profession, 39 of them spent at Sandys Secondary Middle School, her former colleagues, students and friends felt she was entitled to a retirement dinner, and they went all out ensuring it was a gala event.

It was held on Saturday night at the Willowbank Resort and proved to be a time of good food, fellowship and reflection.

The next day Mrs. Ratteray confessed she was elated, and had been overwhelmed by the turnout, the glowing tributes, best wishes and tangible expressions for an enjoyable and well-deserved retirement.

The honour of giving the formal welcome fell to Mrs. Constance Gaiton, who happened to have been one of Mrs. Ratteray's first students when she went to Sandys Secondary 39 years ago.

Mrs. Gaiton has been a teaching colleague for the past 20 years. Other former students, who became teaching colleagues, included Mrs. Nkenge Warren-Swan, who said "thank you for 39 years of steadfast, excellent service to the Sandys Family, and the wider community".

Dr. Glen Bascome, a colleague, praised her for having enriched the lives of hundreds of Bermudians by her generous spirit and winsome personality.

Mrs. Ratteray had served under four principals, all of whom attended with their wives. They were Dr. Joseph Christopher, Mansfield Brock, Dr. Melvin Bassett and Dr. Timothy Jackson, the incumbent principal. Travis Gilbert, chairman of the Sandys board of governors, and other board members joined in the tributes.

Mr. Gilbert presented, on behalf of the board, a suitably inscribed plaque to Mrs. Ratteray. Mrs. Beverley Daniels, on behalf of the Department of Education, presented her with a plaque and a travel voucher.

Others to pay tribute were Mrs. Patti-Jan Roberts, a former student; young Glen Simmons, her last homeroom student; and the honoree's brother, Henry Ming, who amused the audience with tales of growing up in the shadow of his older sister.

As a young girl, Judy was deemed by her peers to have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She made much of her opportunities.

The only children of the late Sydeny and Edith Ming, prominent residents of Union Street, Hamilton, Judy was sent to prestigious Hampton University in Virginia, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in Home Economics, while Henry graduated from the Bermuda Technical Institute, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and the University of Manitoba.

He has been owner/manager of Architectural Planning & Research in Hamilton since 1977, and currently teaches at the Bermuda College. Upon graduating from Hampton, Judy returned to Bermuda and taught for three years at the former St. George's Secondary School, and then went to Sandys Secondary, becoming family studies teacher, which involved home economics, child care, life skills and sewing.

Aside from her school activities, Mrs. Ratteray's community involvement is wide and varied. It includes fundraising for the Sunshine League, Big Brother/Big Sister trustee, Hamilton Lions Club, Bermuda Youth Parliament, KEMH Auxiliary and membership in the Sigma ZI Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

And, we must note, she is the mother of one son, Byron Muhammad, who is the joy of her life.

My photos show Mrs. Judith Ratteray at the gala retirement dinner in her honour at Willowbank Resort. Below centre, she's with the four Sandys Secondary and Middle School principals under whom she served during her 39 years at the school. From the left are, current principal, Dr. Timothy Jackson, Mansfield Brock, Dr. Joseph Christopher and Dr. Melvin Bassett. Below she's with fellow members of Sigma ZI Omega Sorority, the Bermuda chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. They are Dr. Norma Hendrickson, seated, Shanda Simmons, Da'Shawn Doars, Andrene Curtis, Necheeka Trott, Dajuanna Burrows, Dawn Simmons and Dianna Dill. Judy is seen at top with her son Byron Muhammad, her brother Henry and his wife Conchita Ming; her aunt, Mrs. Alice Raynor, and the latter's daughter Shirelene Simmons and husband Colin; also nieces and nephews Ari Ming and wife Maxine, Dianne Outerbridge, Chantel Lowe, Marilyn Cameron and Alana Andeerson. Left centre, Sandys student Glen Simmons presents his former homeroom teacher with a bouquet of roses and thanked her for 'staying on his case'.At right, Judy receives a plaque and travel voucher from Beverley Daniels on behalf of the Department of Education.