THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 9, 1996 TAG: 9603090453
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL CLANCY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
In 46 years as a school crossing guard, Sarah Steele has never called in sick.
That's why she was slightly put off by a public ceremony Friday in honor of her 80th birthday. She had to endure tributes instead of reporting to her post at Coleman Place Elementary School as the bell for dismissal sounded.
``It's too much for me; I'd rather be with my children,'' she said.
That's what has driven her through thousands of days of stopping traffic and helping schoolchildren cross safely. ``My children are my life,'' she said.
There were plaudits and plaques from the mayor, police officials, the principal, the head of the PTA. There were roses and poems, posters and songs. And hugs from the children. ``Oh, be joyful, oh, be jubilant,'' they sang to her.
Today, her birthday, was proclaimed ``Sarah Steele Day, in honor of a woman who has always kept the children of Norfolk as her mission.''
Mayor Paul Fraim said he first met her when he was a child and his mother, also a crossing guard, introduced them. ``The two of them had a lot in common,'' he said.
Crossing guards work about one and three-quarter hours a day on morning and afternoon shifts and make between $16 and $20 a day. But the rewards are much greater than that, she said. ``I get hugs every day.''
Police Lt. Dan Hall, commander of the 2nd Precinct, called her ``a sweetheart of a lady. Both motorists coming through here and the kids developed a great respect for Sarah early on.''
The event was meant to be a surprise, but city officials said she told them she wouldn't cooperate if they didn't tell her of their plans.
She'll be back on the job Monday, she said, and continue ``as long as the good Lord will let me keep my health.''
She said she lost her son and husband nearly 30 years ago. ``I love the children. I don't have anyone else in the state of Virginia. They're my life.'' ILLUSTRATION: LAWRENCE JACKSON
The Virginian-Pilot
Sarah Steele, who turns 80 today, gets a hug from Darvey Bray, a
third-grader at Coleman Place Elementary School. Darvey had just
given Steele a birthday card during Friday's party.
by CNB