Eileen Lee, administrative assistant to the assistant principal, spent her last day working in the Student Office Nov. 18.

Lee said she worked in the St. Louis Park district for 26 years, and spent the past nine years working at the high school. She said she had many duties at Park beyond assisting the assistant principal, including back-to-school mailing, locker assignments, parking permits and managing auxiliary accounts.

Assistant Principal Kari Schwietering said she describes Lee as a person who dislikes the limelight, and would rather support the community behind the scenes. She said students may not know Lee personally, but many know her as the voice of the morning announcements.

“She absolutely despises and hates (doing the morning announcements) beyond any passion, but she does it with a smile,” Schwietering said.

Schwietering said this exemplified Lee’s best character trait: her positivity.

“She’s truly the most kind and positive person I know,” Schwietering said. “She just has the energy about her that’s infectious, and it’s hard not to smile when you’re around her.”

Lee’s colleague and friend Jenny Magdal said she will miss working with Lee, but looks forward to seeing her again in the future. Magdal described Lee’s best trait as her kindness.

“She is so sweet to everybody,” Magdal said.

Lee said her favorite part of her job is working with kids.

“I just think there’s nothing better than you guys (the students). Kids have always been my world,” Lee said. “I have learned that 99 percent of our students are good kids, who always make good choices. One percent (are) good kids who sometimes make a poor choice. I really believe that all kids are wonderful, and sometimes you make a bad choice.”

Schwietering said Lee has made connections with Park families, students and staff over the years.

“She’s so connected with kids. There are students that will come back from being graduated years out and come back to connect with her and still are in touch with her,” Schwietering said.

Despite her retirement, Lee said she looks forward to the next chapter of her life.

“My husband retired two weeks (before me). We’re gonna leave for Nevada beginning of Dec., and we’re going to Ireland in April. We have all kinds of different places we know we’re going to volunteer.”

Lee said she is considering taking a roadtrip with her husband in the beginning of Feb.

“My husband and I like to get in the car, pack a bag, and drive,” Lee said.

Schwietering said she feels proud of Lee’s involvement in the Park community, having lived in Park for a long time and having her kids graduate from the Park schools.

“She is an icon of St. Louis Park,” Schwietering said. “There will be a hole at Saint Louis Park because she’s not here.”