By Laurie Ritter and Laura Cravens

Denise participates in the Supported Living program at Boone County Family Resources. She has been employed at Boyce & Bynum Pathology Laboratories in Columbia for a majority of that time. We sat down with Denise to ask her questions about her job and her 25 year work anniversary.

Q: What is something you like and don’t like about your job?
A: I like the job – cleaning, washing beakers and measuring cups, sterilizing and sanitizing other lab equipment. My boss calls me the number one Germ Buster. My least favorite thing is wearing double gloves. I have to wear them no matter what. They are not always comfortable but I wear them.

Q: How did you get your job?
A: I started in employment services with ACT and they gave me a trainer for a while. When I first started working there, Boyce & Bynum was in a different building. By the time they moved to their current building, I did not have a job coach anymore.

Q: How long have you worked at Boyce & Bynum?
A: Twenty-five years and still going at it. I got a lot of friends there. Steve is my boss.

Q: Do you still like your job?
A: Yes, it makes the money. I have to make money to pay my bills and do fun things.

Q: What are your favorite hobbies?
A: Collecting lighthouses. I have a touch lamp in my bedroom with a lighthouse on it.

Q: How long have you been with your boyfriend Tommy?
A: Thirty-two years. We met back in 1981 at a Parks and Rec activity at Bethel Park. He calls me “sweet lady” and we try to see each other on our birthdays. I would like to go on a cruise with him someday. He lives in Kansas.