Most people spend their whole careers looking forward to retirement – they save and plan to try to get there as soon as possible. But not Jane Ellis.

Ellis happily spent the past 60 years working for the Town of Rochester, and on Thursday afternoon her friends, family and former co-workers came out to the Senior Center to celebrate her retirement.

“When I met her in 2004 she said she was only going to work for five more years,” Karen Walega, health director of the Board of Health, said. “She stayed for thirteen.”

Ellis began her career with the town in 1956, where she earned the distinction of being the first ever town clerk. She was promoted to executive secretary in 1966, the same year she became the first town accountant. In 1978 she became the industrial development finance authority, while simultaneously working as an election worker and deputy inspector within the assessors office. Ellis was the chair of the Board of Assessors from 1987-1990. She was an assessor and teller into the ‘90s. She finished her career as the clerk for the Board of Health from 2004-2016.

In 1993 the Annual Town Report was dedicated to her, and read: “A friendly, delightful lady who has served the town of Rochester with enthusiasm and commitment.”

An emotional Ellis said the reason she worked for the town for so long was simple: “Because I love it.”

At the retirement celebration Ellis received citations from the offices of both state Senator Michael Rodrigues and state Rep. Bill Straus.

“It’s such a treat to be here,” Straus said.

He also commented that 60 years of service isn’t uncommon in a town like Rochester, though still an impressive accomplishment.

“That’s what a town like this is all about,” he said.

Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar also presented Ellis with a citation on behalf of the Board of Selectmen.

“We really appreciate all your years for the town,” she said. “That’s an unbelievable feat.”

Many former co-workers took the stand to tell stories about Ellis, who laughed and cried and wiped her eyes throughout.

“We shared lots of laughs and I’m honored to have worked beside her,” Board of Health member Glenn Lawrence said. “The town has benefited for having Jane be a part of it.”

Walega said that since Ellis retired the building hasn’t been the same.

“She was the life of our annex building,” she said. “She always had everyone laughing. She’s truly a remarkable person.”