The ending school year in the Shawnee Mission School District is very special for Jackie Greene.
It is her last.
Greene is retiring from the food services department at Trail Ridge Middle School after 15 years of making and serving lunch to students.
“I'm happy,” she said. “You know the song ‘Happy?’ I am happy!”
Greene said she is happy to be free of the early mornings, where she would wake up at six o’clock. And she is thrilled she doesn’t have to bake every day anymore.
“I'm not going to miss baking,” said Greene. “No more cookies, no more bread, no more cakes.”
Around school, Greene is known for her smile and positive attitude.
“A lot of joy,” said cafeteria manager, Heidi Winkelmolen. “We had a lot of laughter.”
Around the world, she is likely more known for her son, Olympian Maurice Greene.
“He did not start walking,” said Greene. “When he started, he started running. I guess maybe that should have been an indication, you know?”
Greene raised nine children. Her four oldest, include Maurice Greene, are biological. After he left home, Greene and her husband adopted five boys, all brothers.
“If I didn't take them, who was going to take them and keep them together?” Greene said.
She said she’s in a good place to retire now. All of her children are productive, successful and taking care of themselves.
“I'm going to enjoy myself while I can,” she laughed.
The staff at Trail Ridge Middle School said next school year will not be the same.
“I think Jackie is a legend to this school,” said Winkelmolen. “She's been here for so many years and we're really going to miss her.”
And Greene said she’ll miss all the people she worked with and the students she served.
But it’s time.
“I have served enough cookies and things,” Greene said. “I've been here 15 years and hey, I'm ready to go.”
It’s time to relax, spend more time with her children and grandchildren.
And it’s time to stop baking.
