After 19 years, one of Windsor High School’s most popular secretaries, Tina Byrd, is leaving Windsor at the end of this month. Byrd is retiring due to her husband, Dennis, unfortunately becoming very ill.

However, the Byrd’s are not going to let that stop them from living it up in retirement.

“Last year, we had an in-ground pool put in at the house,” Byrd said. “We are hoping to have swim parties this summer and relax with family and friends.  In September, we are expecting our third grandbaby. I’m looking forward to that, and I hope to spend more time with all of my grandbabies, every chance I can.”

The couple will be traveling as much as they can.

“We have the whole upcoming year planned,” Byrd said. “In October, we’re planning to travel to Augusta, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.”

And that is only the beginning of their travels.

Tina’s husband,Dennis, retired last year and his boss gave him a trip to anywhere of their choice; ultimately, they picked St. Lucia, in the Caribbean.  They plan on going there in December.

Byrd said, “And then we plan on becoming snowbirds and are looking forward to renting a place in the warm and sunny Fort Myers Beach area, January – February.  In March, we are planning to go to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. And then, my niece is getting married in Cabo in May, so we may end up going back to Cabo again!”

When the Byrd’s return home, their fun won’t stop. They will now have time to spend together with their growing family.

Byrd has certainly made an impact at Windsor High School, especially to her fellow staff.

“I’ve been here nine years now, and Tina was here the entire time. When I started, I was an assistant principal and athletic director here. She had been here for years, so she showed me the ropes in terms of how all the athletics and the activities worked,” principal Jason Naucke said. “I had been an athletic director before, but I had never worked with an athletic director secretary. She was very helpful with me, and just learning all the stuff that I needed to know about the coaches and programs, I could just count on her to really just take care of a lot of stuff that I didn’t have to take care of, which was really helpful.”

Assistant principal Rachel Montgomery is thankful for the friendship she gained with Byrd.

“Tina has been here since I have been here, and I think she is just one of those cornerstones of Windsor High School,” assistant principal Rachel Montgomery said. “She is someone I rely upon for guidance, she is not only a coworker, but I consider her a friend, and I will miss her dearly.”

Byrd’s positive persona was infectious in the Windsor High School office.

“The greatest thing about Mrs. Byrd is that she’s got the greatest personality, she’s always smiling, she’s always helpful, she never seems like she’s having a bad day. When you work in the office, to have everyone being on the same team and being positive, that’s hard to find. That’s the biggest thing that we’ll miss and it will be hard to replace her because she just brings a positive vibe to the office, and always willing to help out and doing whatever it takes to make sure everything runs well,” said Naucke.