St. Thomas employee Dorothy “Dottie” Piper is 92 years old and working her 16th and final year for Dining Services at the university.

Piper said she has stayed with St. Thomas for this long because she enjoys the community.

“I love my job and everybody I work with,” Piper said. “I try to be nice to everybody and respectful, and I think that means a lot.”

Sophomore Andy Hobday said he will miss seeing the long-time employee every day at lunch.

“It makes me sad to see Dottie retire,” Hobday said. “She’s always smiling, always in a good mood. She always makes my day.”

Piper’s best friend and coworker of 15 years, Mary Jo Rylander, is also accepting a retirement incentive from St. Thomas.

“Dorothy and I are going out together,” Rylander said.

When asked what she will miss most about working at the university, Rylander quickly responded, “What will I miss most? Dottie.”

After working at St. Thomas for more than a decade and a half, Piper confessed that she might be the most famous person on campus.

“One of the gals that works in the office there said I was more popular than the mascot,” Dottie said.

Although it’s been a long employment, Piper said she has mixed feelings about retiring.

“It’s just such a good environment,” Piper said. “I’ve loved it ever since the day I started working here.”

Molly Sigler can be reached at sigl1215@stthomas.edu.