Crossing Guard Retires After 50 Years Serving Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — It was almost like any other day as Audrey Luthman greeted students heading to school Tuesday morning. She's helped Falls Church students cross the roads safely since 1971, but her work has come to an end.

Luthman is retiring from her crossing guard job after 50 years. City of Falls Church officials and families gathered Tuesday morning to celebrate Luthman's 50 years of service and retirement.

"It's a very exciting job, and I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm not doing it anymore," she told Patch.

She first became a crossing guard in 1971 when there was a shortage. It was originally planned to be temporary work for just a few weeks, and a replacement would be found. She joked that after 50 years, she was still on the job waiting for that replacement.

Luthman grew up in Falls Church and graduated from the high school now known as Meridian High School. She started the crossing guard position as she was raising a baby, and now she has three kids, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Her son Jimmy Luthman recalls his mother started the job after he was born. He said she always showed up whether it was raining, snowing or sleeting.

"I got my work ethic from her," he said.

In a way, she has more kids than the ones in her family. As a crossing guard, she loves interacting with the kids and that they never fail to say hello or goodbye to her. Most of her crossing guard work as been at Oak Street Elementary and Meridian High School, but she's worked at all the local schools over the years. The kids and the way they communicate with her has kept her motivated all these years.

"I love this job," she said. "I like crossing the kids. I like talking to the kids. It's like every day is different."

Over the years, Luthman has seen Falls Church change, from old buildings torn down to new buildings appearing and roads becoming busier. As she greeted students crossing Haycock Road to Meridian High School, she recalled the road used to be only two lanes.

With traffic increasing since she started the crossing guard job, she sees the duties as a huge responsibility.

"You don't really know what the children are going to do, so you have to watch all of the motions," she said.

Another familiar face who showed up to celebrate Luthman's 50 years is no stranger to crossing guard service. Janet Haines served as a crossing guard for 52 years before her retirement in 2019. Luthman and Haines together served as grand marshals of the Falls Church Memorial Day Parade in 2013.

Police Chief Mary Gavin called Luthman "a mother to all of us" and said she is deserving of recognition for helping generations cross roads safely.

"This is a very happy day and a sad day at the same time," said Gavin.

Superintendent Peter Noonan acknowledged the impact Luthman makes by greet students with a smile as they enter and leave school.

"Without you, kids would not come to school as happy as they do," said Noonan.

After a police escort from Luthman's house to Meridian High School and Oak Street Elementary, officials shared well wishes and provided a number of gifts to Luthman in recognition of her retirement. Among the gifts were a plaque of artifacts she wrote on her uniform throughout the years and a plaque of the city's flag and seal.

Vice Mayor Marybeth Connelly presented a City Council resolution recognizing Aug. 31 as Audrey Luthman Day. Kids and parents heading to the school presented Luthman with flowers.

Even though Luthman won't be in front of Oak Street Elementary helping kids cross the street after Tuesday, her 50 years of service will still be known. The crosswalk where Luthman worked on her last day will be dedicated with a sign as Audrey Luthman Crosswalk and painted a different color, according to Gavin.

After the warm wishes and gifts, Luthman spent her last working day the only way she knows how: helping the kids cross to school.