PAK’nSAVE Mt Albert’s golden trio, consisting of checkout operators Hilloo Hally (82) and Nellie Tilly (81), and butchery supervisor Shirley Lowe (81), have clocked up nearly 90 years of service, showing no signs of slowing down.
While many octogenarians would be enjoying retirement, the trio has enjoyed keeping busy, meeting people and feeling like they can play a part in their community.
Hally arrived in New Zealand from Mumbai at age 62, walked into her first job interview and walked out with a checkout job at PAK’nSAVE. Two decades later, she’s still on the roster two days a week and is affectionately known as “Hilloo Aunty”.
Before moving to New Zealand, she ran her own café in India and worked as a corporate secretary for a financial director. After recovering from a serious accident 12 years ago, she credited the store with helping her stay independent and connected.
Tilly joined the very day PAK’nSAVE Mt Albert opened its doors on the 15th of October 1990, after already working five years at a New World store nearby. She now works four days a week and said the store team still feels like family.
Her loyal service was recently recognised with a long-service award, though her brightest badge was the grin she shares with customers every shift.
Lowe joined in 1992 after raising her family and helping run fruit shops and a lunch bar. Today, she works three early morning shifts a week, kicking off her mornings at 5 am, filling shelves and keeping the butchery humming with her hard work and quick wit.
Her grandchildren have even followed her into the store’s checkout and butchery teams, making her contribution a true family legacy.
PAK’nSAVE Mt Albert owner Harry Chawla said his store, like PAK’nSAVE stores around the country, was all about people being themselves and pitching in. He reckoned everyone has something valuable to offer, no matter their age, and the team does what it can to help people grow, reach their goals, and enjoy what they do.
“Hiloo, Nellie and Shirley are an inspiration and an invaluable part of the team. To us, they’re family. They bring wisdom, warmth and joy to the store and our customers every day, and we’re all better for it,” said Chawla.
“Their commitment is a great reminder that age is no barrier to doing meaningful work. Hilloo, Nellie and Shirley genuinely create community. Their amazing service and presence have a ripple effect across the store.”
PAK’nSAVE Mt Albert was proud to celebrate these three extraordinary women who prove every day that energy and purpose don’t come with an expiry date.
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