SOUTH DEERFIELD — Four decades ago, Sharyn Paciorek walked out of the Deerfield Police Station with then-Police Chief David Bell, who handed her a crossing guard jacket.
“I got out the door and I was like, ‘Oh no,’” Paciorek recalled. “The rest is history.”
Paciorek was surrounded by Deerfield Elementary School students last week as she was showered with appreciation for her 40 years of work as crossing guard.
Having officially finished her time as the school’s crossing guard on Monday, Paciorek reflected on her role in the community.
“You’ve got to play the mom, you’ve got to play the grandma,” Paciorek said. “They become family to me, grandchildren to me. It’s hard to let go.”
She played the maternal role well, as several students said they loved the popsicles and apples — donated by Clarkdale Fruit Farms — she would hand out to them. On a recent blistering day, Paciorek said she handed out 97 popsicles to kids walking and biking to school. Beyond providing them with snacks, she said kids often confided in her and she took joy in ensuring children got the help they needed.
In particular, she remembered one child many years ago who was struggling with family life. At one point, Paciorek found the child in her van and she got him the help he needed. When the student returned to Deerfield as an adult, he made a point to visit Paciorek to thank her.
“I saw a man get out of a car,” Paciorek said of the encounter. “He came back and said, ‘I could not come into the town of Deerfield without seeing you.’”
In terms of directing traffic, Paciorek said Deerfield has quite the mix of vehicles passing through town, including Pelican Products delivery trucks and all manner of farm equipment.
Paciorek said she stayed on the job all these years for the students and the relationships she built with generations of Deerfield children.
“It’s a job not everyone wants,” she said. “I really think it was the love of the kids.”
Deerfield Elementary School Principal Tina Gemme said Paciorek dedicated her life to so many children as she helped them grow.
“Sharyn is a beacon of the Deerfield community who has guided generations of children, not just across the street, but from school to school and off into tweenhood. She is a steady source of comfort, who leans in and makes sure each and every student is safe — not just physically, but emotionally,” Gemme said.
“We at DES will forever remember her generosity — the popsicles, the sweet treats, the warm smile and the (care) she provided to every child who crossed her path.”
As she looks to spend more time on Cape Cod with her husband and further pursue her roles with the Council on Aging and South County TRIAD, Paciorek said she is definitely going to miss helping kids safely make their way to school each morning.
“It’s difficult to walk away from these kids,” she said. “There were humps and bumps, but it’s been great.”