Postmaster in Kasilof cancels her long career

Joyce was there long enough that most everyone knows her, at least by face, if not by name. She was at the Kasilof Post Office for 22 of the years she was a postal employee. She retired March 31.

"I came to Kasilof in 1987, back when the post office was still in the store (now known as the Kasilof Mercantile), and I moved with it when it moved into this new building in 1988," she said.

As to how she got involved in postal work, Joyce said it was entirely by chance.

"I came to Alaska to visit friends, and my husband was helping a friend in Homer for a few weeks. I had time on my hands and one thing led to another. I decided to do it for a while and it turned into 33 years," she said.

Before heading north to Kasilof, Joyce initially worked for 11 years in the Clam Gulch Post Office, or the tiny shack that served as one for years.

"It was the size of a walk-in closet, so if we got too many parcels, I had to put them in my car. And after it closed, but before we went to the new building, I even ran it out of my home for a few years," she said.

While many look forward to the day they can actually retire, Joyce said that the feeling was bittersweet because there was a lot about her work she enjoyed.

"The customers were my favorite part, giving good service to good people. I'll miss everyone so much, but Carol (Marsh, who will be the postal officer in charge until the postmaster position is filled) said I can come by and stand by the door to greet people from time to time," Joyce said.

Joyce said she will also take with her all the years of memories she has made from working in post offices around Alaska.

"I'm a trainer for the post office, so I've worked in darn near every village in the state, and I've had so many adventures and experiences and made so many friends out there," she said.

But despite how much she enjoyed her career, Joyce said she believes it is finally time to turn the next page in the book of her life.

"I could have retired years ago but just didn't feel ready. Now, though, I feel like I better get to doing those 'someday projects' with my husband. I didn't want to wait so long I couldn't enjoy them," she said.