Saugus salutes retiring fire department administrative assistant

SAUGUS – Donna Lawrence was welcomed into the ranks of retirement by four former Saugus Fire Department chiefs.James Blanchard, George Parrott, Walter Waldrip and Walter Newbury were four of six chiefs that Lawrence worked for in her 35 years at the department, and they all joined a room filled with town workers and officials, firefighters, police and friends and family at the Public Safety Building this week to celebrate her last day on the job.?I feel honored,” said Lawrence of all the people who showed to wish her well.Chief Donald McQuaid said he?s known Lawrence the whole time that she?s worked for the department.?She?s been great to work with,” he said. Looking around at the crowded room, he added, “She?s helped out everyone in this room at one time or another.”Lawrence said she?s seen every firefighter on the department get hired. “These people are my family,” she said.Lawrence admitted that she?s anxious about retirement after being rooted with the fire department for so long. “They tell you to come visit, but you just can?t come visit,” she said. “I?ve been doing it so long, it?s a way of life. ? I?ll miss the routine. I?ve been the go-to person because I?ve been here so long.”However, Lawrence is looking forward to long walks with her Golden Retriever, Buddy, and traveling. “I want to be able to say, ?This is where I?m going,? and call up, make plans and just go,” she said.Replacing Lawrence as the chief?s administrative assistant will be Brooke Conserva, who comes to Saugus from working in Lynnfield. “She?s a very nice person, and she will work out well,” said McQuaid.Town Manager Scott Crabtree called Lawrence a “wonderful person ? a very dedicated, hard worker” and credited her for her vital role in making budget decisions. “The chiefs in the past have always praised her,” said Crabtree.Of those chiefs, Parrott was the one who promoted Lawrence from dispatcher to secretary in 1985. “She?s been a real asset to the department, 100 percent,” said Parrott.When asked if he had any advice for Lawrence in retirement, Parrott smiled and said, “Enjoy yourself and live long.”