Connie Sifford Will Retire Friday

There’s an old adage that says we shouldn’t simply retire from something but that we should have something to retire to. If that’s the case, Connie Sifford is on the right track. She will retire from VCNB this Friday and is excited for what’s to come.

Customers at our Friendly Bremen Banking Center on East Main Street in Lancaster know Connie as the Head Teller and the friendly face at the drive-thru. Customers across town might also know Connie. She actually began her bank career as a teller at our West Fair location.

The Lancaster native said she never planned to become a banker. She knew Tom Will from her job at the Lancaster Country Club and asked on a whim if the bank was hiring. He told her to come in to apply for a job and the rest is history. After seventeen years at her previous job and seventeen with the bank, she says it’s time to retire and move on to doing things for herself.

While Connie jokes that she’s only 39, it is clear that aging really hasn’t caught up with her. “I don’t plan to slow down. I’m not one to just sit around and usually have something to do. It will just be nice to have time for the things I really enjoy,” she explained.

She talks a good bit about her family including her brother who lives with her, son and daughter-in-law and two grandsons who are the apple of her eye. She looks forward to spending time with all of them and attending more of her grandsons’ extracurricular activities.

Connie also loves to travel and is thinking that some road trips will soon be on the agenda. The Ohio State Buckeyes fan also hopes to attend some basketball games.

She admitted that leaving is bittersweet. “I will miss the people most of all. We have some really great customers and I’ll miss them the most. Retiring is kind of scary but I’m looking forward to so much I’m sure it will be great! It’s hard to tell what the next chapter holds!”

As she prepares to leave her work life behind, we asked Connie what advice she would give someone entering the workforce today. “Just do your job to the best of your ability and remember your customers are what you’re here for. Treat them with respect and kindness,” she said.

Connie will celebrate the start of a new chapter with a luncheon with coworkers at the bank Friday. Stop by the bank this week to wish her well!