Colleagues,
We are excited to share this heartwarming story from Norfolk County Agricultural High School.
John Martin, the superintendent/director of Norfolk County described Bette Duquette as “one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet.” He stated there are names on other buildings at the school; mostly the names of superintendents and other school administrators”.
“Why wouldn’t we honor someone who dedicated their life to the school?”
David
Norfolk County Agricultural High School cafeteria building named after beloved lunch lady
By Emily Sweeney Globe Staff, February 5, 2025
Bette Duquette spent many years working in the cafeteria at Norfolk County Agricultural High School. A building on the campus of the school was recently named in her honor.
Bette Duquette, 81, has long been a familiar face in the cafeteria at Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole.
And she’s officially become a permanent fixture of “The Aggie,” because one of the buildings on the campus of the school now bears her name.
The building that houses the cafeteria was recently named in her honor. Letters affixed to the brick exterior spell out “Bette Duquette Hall,” who’s affectionately known as The Aggie’s best lunch lady.
“The kids are wonderful … They are the heart of the school, and they’re in my heart,” said Duquette, who retired in November. “Being at that register, I got to know all of them,” she said in a phone interview Wednesday. “I could read their faces — I could tell if they needed a little hug. I gave out my hugs free of charge.”
Duquette, who lives walking distance from the school, began working at the campus in 1982. She started out with a part-time job working for the Norfolk County Conservation District when it had an office there and then started working full time in the school’s kitchen in 2000, she said.
After more than 40 years, Duquette hung up her apron on Nov. 27. On her last day, she was given over 500 handwritten notes wishing her well in her retirement, and the cafeteria building was dedicated in her honor.
“I loved it. I retired from the work, but I’ve found it very difficult to retire to from the kids,” she said. “I’m right across the street, so it doesn’t make it easier. I can’t tell you how much joy those kids brought to me. I am so honored to have been able to work there to that age. It was an honor to work there.”
Norfolk County Agricultural High School students greeted Bette Duquette as their classes changed, "I got to know all of the kids. If they needed a Bette hug, I gave them a Bette Hug. Some kids need a touch of love and to know that somebody cares."
John Martin, the superintendent/director of Norfolk County Agricultural High School, said Duquette paid a visit to the school last Tuesday. When she assumed her usual post in the cafeteria, the students were so happy to see her, he said.
“It was a guest appearance,” said Martin. “The outcry was unbelievable.”
Martin, who described Duquette as “one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet,” said there are names on other buildings at the school; mostly the names of superintendents and other school administrators.
“Why wouldn’t we honor someone who dedicated their life to the school?” Martin asked.
It was Lauren Frazer, a math teacher, who first circulated a petition to name the cafeteria building after Duquette.
Duquette, who is treated like a celebrity on campus, hasn’t gotten used to seeing her name on the building.
“It’s overwhelming,” she said. “I worked in that building for 40 years. It was amazing they named it after me. That really was my whole life, right there … it’s quite an honor.”
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira
