Marlene Watson’s co-workers call her the Queen of the Fairmont Empress tea room. She has a regal bearing but her friendly personality quickly puts people at ease, something she’s brought to work every day for 45 years at the landmark Victoria hotel.
Those years include serving at two royal functions when Queen Elizabeth was visiting. Watson has also served actors such as Goldie Hawn, Vincent Price, Kirk Douglas, and Robert Young. Price gave her tickets to see him in a local performance.
Watson, 62, is the hotel’s longest-serving employee. Staff surprised her with a celebration Thursday to mark the anniversary, where she announced plans to reach 50 years on the job.
Accolades flowed as champagne and cake was passed around. Her co-workers hugged her and clapped, one giving her a napkins to dab her tears.
“Customers just love you and come back time and time again,” manager Don Fennerty told Watson.
“There’s so much pride of place,” he said. “That’s what makes the [hotel] so special.”
Angela Rafuse-Tahir, hotel director of sales and marketing, said, Watson “is such a wonderful person. She is so engaging. She loves what she does. She comes to work every day with a smile on her face.”
Watson was just 17 when she was hired to serve at hotel banquets, after moving to Victoria with her family. In those days, she earned $1.87 per hour working for Canadian Pacific Hotels.
She had previous experience working in small restaurants when she lived in Port Renfrew and Lake Cowichan. Being at the Empress, “was kind of overwhelming at first.”
In those days, staff lined up for inspection before work to make sure they looked just right in their black-and-white uniforms. Tea service included guests who lived at the hotel.
Watson has a collection of old menus, some celebrity autographs, and many cards from appreciative customers from around the world. One couple from Vienna returned twice to stay with her on visits.
At one point, Watson, the mother of two adult sons, was banquet supervisor. But tea is what she really loves.
“I like the tradition.”
A high point was being part of the serving team when Queen Elizabeth was here. Staff practised two days in advance to ensure they were in sync when entering the Crystal Ballroom and serving guests.
Mornings on Watson’s Saanich Peninsula farm, where she keeps four rescue horses, start with a pot of Empress brand tea, with milk and honey.
The hotel has several other long-serving staff who have topped 40 years as well, she points out. They include her sister, Cherie Couturier, who is maintenance co-ordinator and has been at the hotel for 40 years.
Watson is looking forward to continuing serving tea. “I enjoy my job. I enjoy the people.”
