When a pharmacy worker retired after 40 years, 'the dream of a lifetime' was waiting

On the corner of Long's Hill and Queens Road in St. John's sits Neighbourhood Pharmacy, though some willremember it as Theatre Pharmacy.

It was also the workplace of pharmacy assistant Maureen Sullivan, who last weekcalled it a career after 40 years of serving the community.

Instead of cake, tea and a send-off speech surrounded by friends and co-workers, Sullivan received a retirement gift she will never forget atrip to New York City, paid forby her boss and Neighbourhood Pharmacy ownerRobert Doyle.

"It was magical. It was all magical, beautiful and there really is a Santa Claus," Sullivan told CBC Radio's On the Go.

"He surprised me five nights before we actually went on the trip."

New York City always held a place on Sullivan's bucket list after years of talking with Doyle abouthis family's trips to the Big Apple.

Doyle remembered those talks when he and his wife discussed gift ideas for Sullivan.

"The wife and I said we have to do something special to recognize such a longtime commitment to work, and Maureen has been such a valuable employee to our business for all these years," Doyle said.

Macy's the highlight

The trio set out for the three-day trip to New York City with a schedule filled to the brim: Macy's, The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, Central Park, dinner overlooking Times Square, a jazz club, even a little salsa dancing.

"That was Friday. The first day we did all of that," Sullivan laughed.

"After visiting Macy's, which I wanted to do most of my life, I went back and put on my television and guess what was on? Miracle on 34th Street. It's like it was meant to be."

Sullivan would endup going to the department store three times during the trip.

Doyle said each time they tried to grab a photograph ofSullivan in front of the window, shewould cry out of pure happiness.

"I think that there's a special moment in all the things that we did. Central Park and the Rockefeller [Center] tree, but I think just seeing how happy it made Maureen to be there and especially get into Macy's to us it was magical," he said.

"I was so overwhelmed. I never, ever thought that I would be at Macy'stwo weeks before Christmas," Sullivan added.

Goodbye, Long's Hill

Sullivan began at the pharmacy as a clerk 40 years ago. Doyle then trained her, and over the last 20 yearsshe workedas hispharmacy assistant.

"I enjoyed every minute of it. I love people. I am a people person and to me people are everything," Sullivan said as she reflected on her career.

"They could be rich, poor, black, white or whatever, I just really enjoy people."

She made friends with her customers over her four decadespan, at times even offering them rides and planning to meet some for coffee, now that she has more time on her hands.

But, from here, there's no slowing down. Hitting the gym and then running next year'sTely 10with her family is now No. 1 on Sullivan's bucket list.

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