There may be a handful of people that have put in 41 years with one employer, but it would be safe to say not many, if any, have never taken a day of sick leave in all that time. On March 30, 2007 at 9:30p.m., at the San Jose Plant and Distribution Center (P&DC), 1750 Lundy Avenue, postal clerk Carol Darwin (89) will sort her last letter.

For Darwin coming to work during rain, heat or gloom of night was as regular as clockwork. Darwin began her postal career on January 16, 1966, as a manual clerk at the age of 48. She became a fixture on the workroom floor, her face as familiar as the mail that moved through the building, because in 41 years she never missed a day of work due to illness, racking up more than 4,244 hours of sick leave.

"I am grateful for my good health," says Darwin. "I went all through high school and college without missing a day and have never used a day of sick leave in my life."

Darwin credits her good health and long life to her organically grown produce that she shares with others, plenty of rest, not smoking or drinking, lots of exercise and a positive attitude. "I like to keep busy," she says. "Because I believe busy people are happy people."

Darwin volunteered for many duties at the P&DC, including taking the machine cancellation count for much of her career and always working on income tax night. She often donated her annual leave to co-workers who needed it more than she did and was secretary to the Accident Benefit Association for more than 25 years.

For further information, contact Ron Vidamo at 408-436-8374.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to cover its operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $73 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.