By Kay M Roth
She always serves her customers with a smile and a sincere, “Have a great day.” She doesn’t just look at the items set on the shiny silver counter and punch the prices on the computer screen. She stops a moment to look at the person, to connect.For people picking up a salad, sandwich or something to drink at the Courtyard Café, it's Judi Madarus who does more than just take your money.
Even though everyone seems to be in a rush, people tend to slow down a bit and make small talk with Linn Benton’s “Lunch Lady.” It’s hard not to do. She’s just such a nice person. But, who among us actually knows her?
Even though everyone seems to be in a rush, people tend to slow down a bit and make small talk with Linn Benton’s “Lunch Lady.” It’s hard not to do. She’s just such a nice person. But, who among us actually knows her?
Madarus might not be well known to students by her name but everyone who ventures into the school’s café knows her. And, she knows them.
“I love the students,” she said last week. “I like to call them by name.”
“I love the students,” she said last week. “I like to call them by name.”
LB student Lisa Singleton said she appreciates what she calls that “spark of recognition,” Madarus shows to each and every person who comes through her line.
“She’s amazing,” Singleton said. “She remembers me from a year ago.”
Madarus has been a mainstay at Linn-Benton for 31 years. Although she retired three years ago, staying away from LB just wasn't in the cards. She quickly returned as a part-time cashier.
She is now providing her great customer service for a second generation of students. Pretty appropriate considering she is a second-generation employee.
“I started upstairs in the dish room with my mom.” Madarus’s first job was washing dishes. When her mother retired, Madarus took her supervisory position. “I worked on the hot line upstairs.” She smiles at the memories.
Eventually, she moved to the Courtyard Café where this generation of students and staff have gotten to know her.
From her stool at the cash register, Madarus connects with the students and staff who pass her way. She always has a smile, a comment, and a nod of recognition to those she serves.
The cafe is a second home for her. She considers the people who pass through the café as more than customers. They are family. Like family, they have been through good times and bad times together. “They really rallied around me,” she said of the time 10 years ago when her husband, Ed, passed away.
From her stool at the cash register, Madarus connects with the students and staff who pass her way. She always has a smile, a comment, and a nod of recognition to those she serves.
The cafe is a second home for her. She considers the people who pass through the café as more than customers. They are family. Like family, they have been through good times and bad times together. “They really rallied around me,” she said of the time 10 years ago when her husband, Ed, passed away.
In addition to her radiant smile, people passing through her line can’t help but notice her black tabard filled with pins. Not just random pins. Madarus's tabard is filled with angel pins. Ones that sparkle, ones made of metal, big ones, small ones. All angels all the time.
She started with one. Suddenly, people were bringing her more. “Students, faculty, friends- everybody,” she said of who they come from.
Grandchildren Austin Carson, 13, Colby Carson, 9, and Caylee Perkins, 6, even have presented their grandmother with an angel pin. The trio's pin is complete with the word Nana that holds three little angels. Again, she smiles.
She started with one. Suddenly, people were bringing her more. “Students, faculty, friends- everybody,” she said of who they come from.
Grandchildren Austin Carson, 13, Colby Carson, 9, and Caylee Perkins, 6, even have presented their grandmother with an angel pin. The trio's pin is complete with the word Nana that holds three little angels. Again, she smiles.
“Yes, I do believe in angels.”
She also loves flowers, as noted by the colorful bouquet that always adorns the counter near her register. In the winter, it is often silk flowers. Other times of the year, they are fresh cut. “I do gardening at home.”
When she’s not at LB or working in her garden, Madarus enjoys being with her family, playing Bingo and shopping with friends.
How long will she keep working? “Until I’m not able to.”
How long will she keep working? “Until I’m not able to.”
Fellow Courtyard Café cashier Jennifer Reeser smiled when asked to describe Madarus. “Very friendly.” Reeser gave Madarus great reviews for her customer service.
She also appreciates Madarus as a co-worker. “She’s fun to work with.”
In addition to her three grandchildren, Madarus has two daughters, Christy Madarus and Melissa Carson. And, of course, the LB students and staff.
“Family and friends- they are the greatest asset in life.” Indeed.
Judi Madarus has been a mainstay at LBCC for 31 years.
Photos by Kay M Roth
At a glance:
Name: Judi Madarus
Born in New York, moved to Oregon at nine months old
Family settled in Scio area, where they joined the Czech community.
Follow Courtyard Cafe on facebook
Courtyard Cafe hours of operation are:
Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Courtyard Cafe hours of operation are:
Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
1 comment:
Although I've seen her many times at cafe, I've never known her name so this story's title and pictures got me interested in reading. The story tells me that she's got a wonderful personality, and I feel her contribution to her work. From her quotes, I can see why she keeps working for 31 long years. I'd like to know more of what other students think about her.
Post a Comment