The end of an era: Tommie Barfield Elementary showers retiree Pat Pschigoda with love

Photo by LANCE SHEARER // Buy this photo

Pat Pschigoda watches a retrospective video. Tommie Barfield Elementary School gave a sendoff to Pschigoda Tuesday, after she worked in the school's cafeteria for 33 years. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Photo by LANCE SHEARER // Buy this photo

Pat Pschigod's son, Deputy Bill Pschigoda, and granddaughter Jodyn, were among the wellwishers. Tommie Barfield Elementary School gave a sendoff to Pat Pschigoda Tuesday, after she worked in the school's cafeteria for 33 years. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

MARCO ISLAND — When Pat Pschigoda started working in the cafeteria at Tommie Barfield Elementary, Jimmy Carter was President, Beef-a-Roni was state-of-the-art nutrition, and Marco Island had a lot fewer residents. Pschigoda hung up her apron Wednesday, after 33 years providing lunches for the island’s elementary school children.

On Tuesday afternoon, a few of her friends got together to give Pat a little sendoff. In this case, a “few friends” meant the entire staff and student body at TBE, as well as several previous retirees from the school, and Pschigoda’s family members. They sprang the school-wide assembly on Pat as a surprise, and put on a version of “This Is Your Life,” taking her back through her years at the school.

Cafeteria manager Muriel Floyd, Pschigoda’s immediate supervisor, had difficulty getting through her remarks, when her turn at the microphone came.

“I’m gonna miss this lady. It’s been a pleasure knowing her and working with her, and having her as my friend. She’s my rock – my rock,” said Floyd, choking up with emotion.

Of course, the top banana at TBE is Dr. Jory Westberry, and on Tuesday she dressed the part, showing up for the sendoff dressed in a banana suit, plus wild rose-tinted shades, a pair of Sponge Bob pajama pants and tutti frutti socks. In keeping with the cafeteria theme, assistant principal Katie Maya also came in costume, dressed up as a carton of milk.

Beneath her banana outfit, Westberry had some heartfelt sentiments to impart.

“In all the years I’ve known Miss Pat, I’ve never seen her frown, or be mean to anyone. She always smiles,” she said. “She remembers what your favorite food is. How does she do that? The milk doesn’t know. The banana doesn’t know.”

The students watched videos showing “Miss Pat” through the years, noticeably younger in the photos from 30 years ago, surrounded by an ever-changing cast of students and teachers. The soundtrack played “I Hope You Had the Time of Your Life” and “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” as the children laughed and applauded. They sang her a song to the tune of “Jingle Bells,” rewritten with lyrics including “Pat’s the best, Pat’s the best, with Pat you can’t go wrong.”

Pschigoda has been at the school long enough that some of the students from the early years are the parents of children now going to TBE. Two of the current students are her own grandchildren, Ryan Gangl and Jodyn Pschigoda.

A long line of children came up one by one to give Miss Pat a hug, and they wrote her notes of appreciation on cards cut in the shape of foods. Audra Moriarty, “Miss M,” made a cake in the shape of a lunch tray, with meatballs, spaghetti, an apple and a cookie all recreated in sweets.

Pat’s son, Collier County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Pschigoda, was on hand to see his mother honored, and was touched by the outpouring of affection.

“I know how amazing she is, and how much she loves this school and the students, and I’m still amazed at what they gave back to her today,” he said. “She doesn’t want to retire – her heart’s here.”

The guest of honor seemed a little taken aback at all the fuss being made.

“I’m in shock. I knew the kids said they were going to make me cards, but I had no idea they were going to do all this,” Pat Pschigoda said. She declined to give her age, but said “it’s way past retirement.”