Crossing Guard, 89, Hangs Up Stop Sign In Abington

EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA —Ms. Dottie worked the corner of Edge Hill Road and Keith Road, making sure that the students at Highland Elementary School got to school safely.

That was Miss Dottie's job for 27 years every school year for Abington Township.

While assisting Abington Township School District students, Miss Dottie worked as a township employee before her retirement at age 89 at the end of the school year.

The students and staff at Highland held a surprise retirement send-off for her on Friday. During the party, she received a Certificate of Commendation from Abington Township and handmade "Thank You" cards from students.

"Congratulations on your retirement, Ms. Dottie, and thank you for keeping the students of Abington School District safe," the township said in a Facebook post.

The township hires and staffs crossing guards for the public and private schools throughout Abington.

Before working at Highland, Miss Dottie logged 20 years of crossing students for St. John of the Cross.

Good Morning America featured Dottie recently. See the video of her helping children across the street.

"I just appreciate it so much that Highland School did this [for] me," she told Action News 6. "It was just overwhelming … it's such a full auditorium with all the kids. It was amazing."

Reflecting on her career, Miss Dottie said she enjoyed her job and is going to miss it after her retirement, especially seeing "all the kids" each day.

"It's important to keep the children safe so they can get across the street and not be on their own," she said. "It kind of makes you almost cry, because you know you won't get to see them again," she said in the Good Morning America feature.