At Diana Pickwick’s retirement party held last month near Port McNeill, there was a statement echoed by many who’ve had the pleasure of working with her. “We’ll miss the baking,” stated many staff.
While there’s no doubt that Diana can bake a mean banana loaf amongst other tasty treats, it isn’t her baking that she wants to be remembered for. “I’m a mother and grandmother, so baking is just a part of life,” says Diana, humbly.
Indeed, Diana’s storied career at Stolt Sea Farm and Marine Harvest is something to be very proud of. For over 20 years, she has been an integral part of the company’s production team, with a specific expertise in caring for its brood stock. For 18 years, she had also remembered every single employee’s birthday by presenting them with a card and small gift. Oh, and then there’s the relationships she’s built not only with her peers but with the many visitors to her farm site.
“I still keep in touch with many yachters that have visited,” she says, smiling at the memories. Even in retirement she’ll keep in touch
Diana Pickwick
with many tourists-come-friends. This includes a couple from Bremerton, Washington who had since visited Diana at her house for dinner and whom Diana has stayed with at their home. “I’m going to join them for a week next year when they make their way to Alaska,” she says, adding that she wouldn’t have had an opportunity to meet so many great people if she wasn’t “out there on the water”.
Diana insists her working career isn’t over – she still has “lots of energy”. “I’m just ready to spend more time with family, in my garden and trying to perfect that game called golf.”
“I must admit that I do have one regret,” she adds. “That is, I’m sorry that I didn’t get into this career at a younger age.”
We would agree, because having Diana’s talents for 20 years just doesn’t seem long enough.
In only a few weeks, Josee Migneault, the Health, Safety and Environmental Systems Manager, will celebrate fifteen years in our industry. It’s clear she is where she