BETWEEN them they have given 50 years' service to Okehampton Primary School, so saying a final farewell was an emotional moment for Beryl Dodd and Ruth Packer.
Mrs Dodd started as an infant helper 25 years ago and although her job title has gone through many changes her duties have remained the same, working with the reception class of rising fives.
Mrs Packer, meanwhile, has been a lunchtime carer, committing one and a half hours in the middle of the day every day of term for the past 25 years.
Both ladies said it was a wrench to go and they would miss the children but retirement beckoned.
'At the moment it is just like being on holiday but after 25 years in one place it is quite sad to leave and I will miss everybody,' said Mrs Dodd. 'I just love being with children and it certainly keeps you young.'
A former pupil of Okehampton primary herself, Mrs Dodd's grandchildren are the fifth generation of the family to attend the school.
She said opportunities for learning support assistants had increased dramatically over the years and if she had her time again she would probably have gone on to qualify as a teacher.
'There is a lot more teaching involved now for classroom assistants and it is a good start for anyone who wants to go into the profession,' she said.
Mrs Dodd, who was presented with a mounted picture of the town, has retired early to look after her husband who has MS and she is looking forward to walking on the moors with her dogs.
A porcelain figure of a girl was the gift to Ruth Packer who plans to spend more time with her family and in her garden.
Headteacher of Okehampton Primary School Brian Cunningham said both ladies were very popular with the children and they had shown great commitment to the school.
'We are going to miss them but we hope they will continue to come and see us now and again,' he said.