Becky’s Goodbye Party

Becky Canonico was lead clerk at the North Orange Library for years and worked in the Orange County Library System for many more. She left in 2002 and staff across the system gathered to wish her well and express our appreciation for her friendship.

Needless to say, we conjured up a surprise party with the assistance of her husband Vito. A staff member created buttons which were worn by all in attendance to identify themselves to the staff at the Steak and Ale in Altamonte Springs as party attendees. We made a fake reservation for Vito and Becky at the Steak and Ale and the staff had a note beside their reservation to bring them to the back room where we were waiting. Becky was totally surprised and a good time was had by all!

ABOVE: Posing before Becky’s arrival are many of the staff members from the North Orange Library in Apopka. L-R: Kenneth, Ashley, Danielle, Omar, Jennifer, Abby.

ABOVE: Becky realized that Vito had kept all this a secret and turned in amazement to look at him and all her co-workers who had gathered in her honor.

ABOVE: Becky received a memory book with copies of all photos taken that evening. This is Becky with her husband Vito.

ABOVE: Becky with the North Orange branch manager, Caroline Rosenblum.

ABOVE: Becky poses with her friends from the Division of Branches. L-R standing: Becky Canonico, Carol Kamman, Betsy Nieves, Jane Rodeheffer, Maria Perez, Beverly Hepfer. Seated: Lydia Peters.

ABOVE: In typical Becky fashion, she and Omar Elkalyoubie stop to play for the camera, giving Jennifer Myles rabbit ears.

ABOVE:  The North Orange staff knew we might get a bit teary-eyed, so we planned gag gifts with accompanying stories. This is Pam presenting Becky with attire for her new Dress Code. This is what she said: Becky, when you were working at the library, adhering to the dress code was sometimes very stressful. Closed-toed shoes, librarian clothes, sweaters, and “dressing for inclusion,” just didn’t allow you to express your true personality. But, in your new job (working from home for her husband), there are no dress restrictions and your true self can shine through. We consulted with Vito, and while he felt the orange flip flops were a bit much, he thought the rest of the outfit would work out just fine.  At that point, Pam presented Becky with a grass skirt, coconut shell top, flower lei and orange flip flops.

ABOVE: Becky actually got some real gifts in addition to all the gag gifts her staff presented. Here she is receiving a beautiful bouquet from a fellow lead clerk.

ABOVE: Becky with her dear friend and colleague Pam.

ABOVE: This is Becky with North Orange clerk Jeanne Pettrey.

ABOVE: Becky poses with shelver Omar Elkalyoubie, the youngest member of the North Orange staff.

ABOVE: Not unlike photographs taken on Prom Night, attendees were encouraged to have their photos taken with Becky. Each attendee was given copies of photos as keepsakes and Becky received a memory book with copies of all photos taken that evening. Becky posing with shelver Kenneth.

ABOVE: Becky and Diane Williams.

ABOVE: There was one other person at the surprise party (not seen in any of the photos below), but she claims her best side is behind the camera. She took all the photos and made the cake! Don’t tell her I told you, but it was Kim Peters who joined the staff at North Orange on September 29, 2001.

Peruse all the Images below under Attachments and read the captions!