Pink and green balloons, white table cloths, retirement table decorations, sweets and drinks adorned the Fulton City Council chambers Monday afternoon to celebrate Fulton City Clerk Carolyn Laswell's last day after serving the city for 22.5 years.
City officials, co-workers and friends of Laswell joined the celebration, reflecting on her tenure and sharing memories. Laswell said she chose a special day to her to mark her retirement.
"Today was my daddy's birthday," Laswell said. "And he's been gone a long time, so I thought it'd be nice to retire on his birthday."
Laswell talked about her favorite aspect of her job, if she had to pick, would be interacting with people, especially the people she's worked with.
She said her favorite memory serving the city was the dedication to the new Fulton City Hall in Oct. 2002.
"For years and years and years they had architects come in and make plans," Laswell said. "We never had the funding. It went on for years, and this time it was succeeded and we got to pick out the colors, the wood, the furniture. It was just a neat experience to see a drawing actually come to life. We were so crowded in the old city hall we were on top of each other, and in the vault, when it rained, water went right down the side of the walls so we couldn't put anything in the back of the shelves - everything had to be on the front of the shelves."
When the new city hall was completed, it made everyone in the building "ungrumpy," she said, laughing.
As for short-term retirement plans, Laswell and her husband plan to make several short trips to visit family.
"We have a daughter in Wisconsin, which is where I'm from originally, and we have a daughter in Virginia, and family in Florida," Laswell said. "We're just going to see them and spend time with the grandchildren. We're expecting our second great grandchild in December, so that's exciting."
She added that it's time for her to start a new chapter in her life, although admits she dislikes the idea of leaving.
"It's time for a young one to step in and take over," she said. "I'm looking forward to what I can do now."
Laswell wants to remain involved in the Fulton community, and will continue to be an ambassador while volunteering in some capacity with the Show-Me-Innovation Center.
She also looks forward to reading more, working with flowers, being home and entertaining people.
"I like being home and entertaining at home," Laswell said. "It's fun. I like to have people over and cook and do that kind of stuff, so I plan on doing a little bit more of that. You know, when you work and you get home for the weekend, you're like "woah,'" she said while laughing.
Laswell talked about the weekend leading up to her retirement Monday. She said a party was held for her Friday at the Fulton Country Club, where her nephew from Florida and friends from Wisconsin surprised her by attending. On Saturday, she had a barbecue with her family at her house. On Sunday, Director of Administration Bill Johnson hosted a barbecue at his home for Laswell, council members and department heads.
"I've just been partying all weekend," Laswell said, smiling and laughing. "I'm a party animal. I've had a more active social schedule this weekend that I probably have in two years. It's been awesome. I just never expected this friendship."