ABERDEEN — Esme Finnis, long-standing and much-loved manager of Aberdeen’s Pep Stores, donned her uniform for the final time last Friday. “Aunt Es”, as she is affectionately known to both her colleagues and customers, has served the community of Aberdeen for a grand total of 40 years and 8 months - all without a single blemish on her record, as she proudly told the Advertiser!
Esme started work at Aberdeen Pep Stores in July 1976 as a sales assistant and was soon promoted to cashier. In 1998 she was appointed to the position of branch manager, which she held until her retirement.
One of her personal career highlights was winning the Sikhula KunYe award in 2015. Sikhula KunYe means “We are Growing Together” and is the guiding principle of the Pep organisation –the award was given to Esme for commitment and diligence. In terms of the Aberdeen store, she was extremely and justifiably proud when the store was revamped and enlarged in April 2008 due to the growth in turnover at the store.
Whenever there was a special occasion, be it the first day of school, Easter or Fathers’ Day, Esme and her team would dress up for the day, and these special efforts have been a large part of what has made the store so successful and popular with the Aberdeen community.
Over the span of such a long career, there have obviously been some sad moments too, with one of the more recent being the passing of staff member Gladys Gxido in February 2015, Esme’s colleague for 15 years.
On Thursday, the Pep group in-house radio station Feel-good FM paid tribute to Esme between 8am and 11am, using the theme “Time to say goodbye”, and between the songs, many of the groups’ senior management phoned in (including the MD) and were heard on air praising our local star. She is known within the Pep organisation as a Karoo legend!
On her last day, Esme was joined by the area manager for the Karoo, Jeffrey Booysen from Oudtshoorn. On behalf of her colleagues, he presented her with a beautiful hand-drawn portrait of herself.
“I will miss my customers. Many of them became dear friends, who sometimes opened their hearts to me, and to whom I could open mine” said Esme. “I thank the Good Lord that I could experience such an outstanding working journey, an experience I will take with me to my last resting place”.
This presence of this kind, caring and humble lady will be greatly missed in Aberdeen’s Pep Stores. Thankfully, she will not be leaving Aberdeen and will continue to be involved in many aspects of community life.
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