After 26 years with the post office, the last 20 of them in Fincastle, Frances Boatman is retiring. From 2- 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31, a retirement reception featured Fincastle patrons dropping by to wish her well.

Kathy Naff, window clerk said, “We will miss her expertise. Frances has been precise in the way she works.” Mike Wilhelm also a postal worker had a cake made to look look an addressed envelope and patrons were dining on cake, lemonade, mints and nuts.

Fincastle resident Malanie Jones wrote her a poem which she read aloud.

So what is the next step for Boatman who lives in SW Roanoke County?  “I plan to  spend time with my four granddaughters. I hope to travel- I have several children and one daughter lives in South Carolina to go visit, and then travel with my sister to Kentucky to the horse races in the fall. I hope to volunteer, go  back to school at VWCC and get back into  ballroom dancing, which I enjoy.” Things she said she has not had time for in the past 20 years.

” I am very pleased with the office and the relationship I have had with the workers that I was able to hire. We have been quite a team,” noted Boatman.

Rob Struppler who used to be in Troutville, but lately of the Wirtz Post Office will come in as officer in charge for a while. “I couldn’t have picked a better replacement, ” she said.

Her first day as a retired person will come tomorrow. When asked what she planned to do, she responded with a smile, ” Go to a leisurely breakfast at the Roanoker with my next door neighbor.”

Boatman’s  words of farewell to Fincastle 24090, ” I have thoroughly enjoyed being here 20 years. It has become like family to me.  I think of the people here that way. I hope to keep in touch and come down and have lunch.”