AUBURN – Laurel Allen, aka “Miss Lolly,” will retire from the Temple Shalom Nursery School after 32 years of service.

Since quality nursery school care has been in demand, Allen has provided professionalism, creativity and love to the hundreds of students she has served. Laying the social and early educational foundation for the children has been her responsibility and she has met that with straight A’s.

Allen will pursue personal interests with her husband, Jim Allen, such as traveling to the Panama Canal, reading and spending more time with her grandchildren, Courtney, Austin, Kayla and Tyler.

Temple Shalom will celebrate Allen’s retirement from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 12, at the temple. All past and present students and their families are invited to attend.

When asked what has been the best part of working at the Temple Shalom, Allen was quick to answer with certainty, “The kids, that’s why I’ve been there so long!”

She also said, “After 10 years of service, the director’s position opened up and I was promoted to director. With the support of the board of directors, I have been able to create the program that it represents today.”

Staying in line with the original nursery school guidelines, including Jewish celebrations, Allen has tailored the program to include creativity, community outings and extensive hands-on opportunities for the children. It is not uncommon to find a life-size “ship” in the middle of her classroom.

Working with her friend and colleague, Claudette Turcotte, has also enhanced the success of the program. Their common threads of values, friendship and love of children have given the program the continuity and reputation of excellence it holds.

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