Jean Artt, beloved dinner lady from Middlesbrough, celebrates her 90th birthday after retiring last year, still cherished by former students.
Before that, she worked at Langbaurgh School. Ten years ago, the Gazette celebrated her 80th birthday. Back then, she had no plans to retire. And she stuck to that promise until last year.
Health issues finally made her hang up her apron. But today, as she turns 90, her family says she’s still adored by many former pupils. Her granddaughter, Hannah, shared that Jean always said the kids kept her young.
People still greet her in the street, asking, “You OK, Nana Jean?” Jean started her career in 1967 as a cleaner. She later took on dinner lady duties. When the schools merged in 2002, she stayed on.
For years, she was likely the UK’s oldest lunchtime supervisor. Hannah mentioned that Jean worked until Covid hit. After that, she was just a dinner lady.
Even after retiring, Jean would jump back in if she could. Teachers often relied on her to connect with the naughtier kids. They respected her and listened to her advice.
On her retirement, a former teacher praised her as an absolute legend. They remembered her mutual respect with students, always laughing but keeping them in line.
Hannah sees Jean as her biggest inspiration. She’s strong-willed, determined, and caring. One of her joys was seeing her two youngest great-grandchildren start school before she retired.
Jean, who lost her husband David in the late 1980s, has a daughter, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. To celebrate her 90th, a big party is planned at North Ormesby Social Club, followed by a family meal on her special day.
