OLDS — The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 in Olds held an open house May 16 for its recording secretary, Linda Rinas, to show appreciation for her 35 years of service to the Royal Canadian Legion.
“This is awesome. The turnout is awesome. I’m really happy,” Rinas said as she cut pieces of cake for everyone. “The staff and the executive did an awesome job putting all this together and it’s just beautiful.”
Rinas told the Albertan she is not retiring yet, just cutting back on her hours and will eventually retire.
“I’m going to be cutting back to a couple of days a week for some time, just until the girl that’s taking over for me feels comfortable and then I’ll just go out slowly,” she said.
When Rinas does retire, “she’s certainly going to be missed around here big time,” branch president Sheila Peters said.
“It's going to take a lot to fill her shoes because she was involved in everything, not just the office work, but like the whole branch.”
Peters said Rinas has always been involved in organizing major events at the legion such as New Year’s Eve and Mother’s Day celebrations. She also helped organize the legion picnic when those events were held.
“I really don't know of anything she hasn't been involved in, to be honest with you,” Peters said.
Peters said up until six to eight years ago, the branch executive used to change every year, so Rinas has “worked with a lot of different bodies and personalities and -- managed to stay calm.”
“I think she was ready to pull her hair out a few times, but she did pretty well,” she added.
“I mean, even when she was going through a rough time in her life, she still thought of the legion. Because she lost her husband, she lost her daughter (in the span of about three years).”
Lounge supervisor Jenny Collinge is going to miss Rinas too.
During the 15 years Collinge has been employed at the branch, she and Rinas have worked closely together.
“She's looked after pretty much every facet of the legion in one way or another. She's volunteered here as well,” Collinge said.
“we’re going to miss her Googleness,” she said, prompting a bit of laughter. “Who’s going to replace her Googleness?”
Collinge said because Rinas has been involved in so many aspects of the legion over such a long period of time, her departure, when it occurs, will have a huge impact.
“It's going to be a huge void, that'll probably I don't think ever be filled. Just the knowledge alone that she has, right?”
Peters and Collinge said the legion has not only been a workplace to Rinas but has always held a “special place in her heart.”
Collinge considers Rinas to be a good friend.
“I don't usually get friendly with co-workers, but I'm actually quite close with Linda,” she said.
“We've seen each other through some tough times that are personal, aside from work and things.
“She's always been my direct go-to. So yeah, (when Rinas does retire) it's going to be really hard,” Collinge said. “Maybe I'll have to retire too,” she added jokingly.
