Brenda DeRea Kunzman finished her last day on June 27, at the Top Notch Hair Salon in Alpha.
There were lots of hugs, laughter and even a few tears as Brenda DeRea Kunzman worked her last day Tuesday at the Top Notch Hair Salon in Alpha.
On Wednesday morning, her and her husband Fred will start the drive to their new home outside of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
After 57 years of hairdressing, her last day was a busy one. She said she "tried to fit in as many (clients) as she could".
Some clients have been coming to her for up to 50 years. Looking back on her career, she said she thinks the majority of her client have come to her at least 30 years or more.
She considers them friends, and the feeling is mutual. She said many of them cried when she announced her retirement.
Sue Huma who had been a client for at least 30 years, stopped by Tuesday morning just to say goodbye and deliver a hug.
Millie Sounder has been coming to Kunzman for 40 years. They've become so close that they've gotten to know about each other's kids.
Sounder said she has seen Kunzman's two daughters grow and then watched her grandkids have fun in a play-pen in the corner of the salon.
Kunzman was blown away by the notes she received during a going-away party her daughter held recently for her. She is keeping every one of those notes. She hadn't realized she had that much impact on them.
This Warren County senior citizen is outstanding
Her first beauty salon was in Roseto right on Garibaldi Avenue. She was there until a fire destroyed the salon in the middle of the night. Her next salon was in her mother's house right down the street, until a gas explosion destroying the whole house.
She headed out to Alpha in 1984 to build the salon to share with her daughter, Colleen Beviss, when she finished beauty school.
A third-generation cosmetologist will be following their lead as Beviss's daughter, Bella will start cosmetology studies at Warren County Technical High School in September.
Just like Beviss worked with her mom, Bella will be coming to work with her mom.
Having never lived out of this area, Kunzman said she is now looking forward to a whole new adventure.
Sue Beyer may be reached at sbeyer@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sbeyer_photo. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.