Addison postal carrier Barbara ‘Bobi? Jablinskey’s days of ringing doorbells, delivering mail and dodging canines came to an end Aug. 28 when she retired after 30 years of faithful service.
‘I’ve enjoyed this job,? Jablinskey said. ‘It’s very mentally and physically stressful, but I’ve enjoyed it. It’s something we do that people can depend on every day. It’s been a pleasure and honor to take care of people.?
Over the years, Jablinskey’s had the pleasure of delivering mail to some local celebrities from former Detroit Tigers pitchers Mickey Lolich and Denny McLain to the parents of rocker/rapper Kid Rock.
She never met McLain, the last Major League Baseball pitcher to win 30 games in a season, but she has fond memories of Lolich and the parents of Kid Rock (whose real name is Robert Ritchie).
?[Lolich] is a real nice guy,? she recalled. ‘He and his family always gave me nice Christmas presents. I missed my chance to ask for tickets to a ball game. Kid Rock’s parents are very nice, and his mother also makes cookies for us.?
Jablinskey began working for the postal service in Washington Township, where her husband knew the postmaster and told him his wife needed a job. She spent a combined 19 years working at the Washington office, a year at Mount Clemens and about 10 years at the Leonard post office. Besides being a rural carrier, Jablinskey also served as an academy instructor teaching new employees.
She estimated it took about eight hours each day to complete her route, depending on the amount of mail and the time of year.
‘Years ago, it was done a little differently,? she recalled. ‘We used to have to case every piece of mail and that took longer. Now, the mail comes in with a delivery point sequence, and it’s already in order.?
Winter delivery, which means battling the rural township’s icy, snow-filled gravel roads, is one part of the job that the Arizona native won’t miss.
‘Not even a little bit,? she said. ‘I’ve been stuck (in the snow) more times than I can count. I’ve had flat tires and can now change a flat tire in eight minutes.?
Delivering the mail can be a dangerous occupation at times.
Jablinskey recalled she’s been bitten by dogs about five times during her career. Not seriously enough for rabies shots, but enough to draw blood.
And speaking of blood, she recalled one time where sealing a big envelope resulted in a nasty paper cut that actually needed stitches.
?(There was) blood all over the mail,? Jablinskey said. Her co-workers like to tease her about it.
To this day, she wears a T-shirt with a mummy and the caption: ‘It was just a paper cut!?
Delivering the mail isn’t all letters, bills and coupons. Jablinskey’s had the pleasure of transporting everything from live poultry to bees and ladybugs to frogs and dead pigs for school science projects.
Then there was the cremated body.
‘They always come through registered mail, and you have to sign for them,? Jablinskey recalled. ‘They’re much heavier than you think they would be.?
Over the years, Jablinskey heard her fair share of customers complain about checks being lost in the mail. She always found that ironic.
‘It always amazes me how people complain that we lose their check,? she said, chuckling. ‘Nobody ever complains if we lose their gas bill or phone bill! We only lose checks.?
While some customers might cry over a large gas or phone bill, others have cried over good news. Jablinskey recalled one customer who cried over a certified letter she delivered.
‘I thought it must not be good news,? she said. ‘But she said, ‘No, it is good news.? It was the paperwork for her to officially adopt her daughter.?
Delivering mail has become a family affair for Jablinskey, whose two sisters-in-law worked for the postal service. She also works with her niece, Paula Lanes.
Jablinskey is popular with her co-workers, and some marveled at how she did her job.
‘She doesn’t mark her packages,? said Bonnie Rathburg. ‘She keeps it all in her head.?
Added Lanes: ‘She’s awesome and will be missed. It’s nice to come to work everyday and hang out with your family.?
Now that this stage of her life is over, Jablinskey plans to head down to visit her brothers in Oklahoma, Texas and Arizona, and spend time with her grandkids.
She also plans to start a catering business with her daughter called Gourmet Cowgirls.
‘Being from the southwest, I cook a lot of Mexican food,? Jablinskey said. ‘Things like enchiladas and green chiles. The catering will feature mostly Dutch oven cooking and unique grilling.?
And if those things don’t keep her busy enough, Jablinskey may even continue roping, something she’s received awards for.