True Santamarian
Shirley Boudreau Assoc Alum'17
Since January 4, 1984, Shirley Boudreau Associate Alumni 2017 has been a reassuring constant for many on the Saint Mary’s campus.
Before becoming the face of the well-known C-Store in the Loyola Colonnade, Shirley began her employment with Dining, working in the cafeteria, now known as Dockside Dining Hall. From there, Shirley operated Orange County, a coffee and donut cart which then transformed into a storefront called “Easy Go”, a grab-and-go counter located beside Tim Hortons in the Loyola Colonnade.
While SMU Dining’s offerings and services changed over the years, Shirley remained a constant and reliable team member. Shirley was in her 30s when she began her career with Saint Mary’s and from the very beginning, she has been a mother figure to many.
Now, 40 years later, Shirley has had the pleasure of watching thousands of students graduate, begin their careers, and start families. Today, those relationships continue as Shirley meets and serves the children and even grandchildren of students she met years ago.
Whether it’s a regular stop for a morning cup of coffee or a daily high five from the Point Pleasant Child Care group, members of the campus community, young and old, have developed long-lasting relationships and traditions with Shirley.
Along with her inspiring number of friendships within the SMU community, Shirley has demonstrated remarkable dedication and devotion to her work. Shirley takes great pride in her perfect attendance, not for a year or two but over her 40 years of service!
Shirley arrives on campus well before her shift each morning and ensures the C-Store is in tip-top shape when she leaves each afternoon.
One of the most notable memories of Shirley’s devotion to her work was in September 2003, when Hurricane Juan made landfall in Nova Scotia. Joe Makary, General Manager of SMU Dining, recalls making the trek to campus the morning of the storm to ensure students were fed. Due to the extensive damages, power outages, and devastation brought on by Hurricane Juan, Joe expected to be the only staff member on campus that early in the morning.
To his surprise, when he arrived, Joe was not alone. Shirley had made her way to campus in the early morning hours and set up camp in the campus chapel to sleep over and ensure she was on campus to serve the students despite the storm. The night of Hurricane Juan is one of many times that Shirley has shown her truly admirable commitment and devotion to the campus community.
On January 4, 2024, the Dining Team gathered to recognize & celebrate Shirley’s accomplishment. The C-Store was transformed into a 40th Anniversary celebration complete with balloons, streamers and cupcakes. Throughout the day, people from all different eras of Shirley’s career stopped in to congratulate her. Stories were shared, gifts were exchanged and countless hugs were had. Joe Makary presented Shirley with a new plaque to mount on her already impressive wall of recognition. This one displays her latest accomplishment, 40 Years of Outstanding & Dedicated Service.
When asked about her time at Saint Mary’s, Shirley states that “working with SMU Dining and Aramark has been a very fulfilling career.” She thoroughly enjoys coming to work each day to interact with the students, staff, and community members who pass through her store. Despite her 40 years of dedicated service and notable perfect attendance, Shirley says she “has no plans of retiring anytime soon.”
