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After more than 50 years helping Jasperites keep well, Gail Lonsberry is taking a well deserved rest.
Lonsberry retired on Friday, having worked as a pharmacist in Jasper since 1967.
鈥淚t [my career] was great,鈥� she said. 鈥淧harmacy has treated me well.鈥�
Lonsberry, who grew up in Edmonton and Edson, said she babysat for a pharmacist when she was a teenager and was drawn to the profession for its flexibility.
She said her favourite thing about the job and what she will miss most is the people.
鈥淭he people I worked with and the customers who came in,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 have seen quite a turnover in the drug store over the years but I wouldn鈥檛 want a job in an office where you wouldn鈥檛 see people.鈥�
Lonsberry graduated from the University of Alberta in 1963 and came to Jasper on July 1, 1967 to work in the late Bob Dowling鈥檚 drug store - Whistler Drugs. She started working in the hospital in 1994.
鈥淏ob Dowling was a wonderful boss,鈥� said Lonsberry. 鈥淚 took it so I could take part time when I needed it - and I did when I raised my family.鈥�
Lonsberry and husband Donald have three sons, plus grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She said she has 鈥渘othing extraordinary planned鈥� for her retirement, just hopes to see more of her family.
鈥淲e are not travellers and don鈥檛 have any long term plans, we just hope to go out to the coast at some point, see our granddaughters and great-granddaughters and some other family,鈥� she said.
