Bon Voyage, Anne!: A beloved Applegreen Athlone customer is leaving Ireland for Spain, but she will not soon be forgotten

There is no denying Anne O’Toole’s loyalty. She is a treasured customer of Applegreen Athlone petrol station in central Ireland who can always be seen with a scone or newspaper in hand. She is a frequent flier at the station, always being friendly with the staff and other customers.

“Anne is a wonderful and caring person,” Jason Norton, an Applegreen Athlone staff member, said. “She is very thoughtful with gifts and loves to shop and spend time with our staff. That is a credit to her local small town.”

O’Toole is rooted as a small-town woman, so she knows the importance of supporting local businesses. She believes that is what makes small towns successful, and that is what she wanted to see out of Athlone.

One could argue O’Toole has been Applegreen Athlone’s most valued customer, which is why when they found out she is moving to Spain, the staff felt very bittersweet. They are sad to see her go and will miss making memories with her, but they know O’Toole is doing what she feels is right for her.

Outside of being the petrol station’s top customer, O’Toole is a remarkable woman with a great big heart. She spends time visiting people in the hospital and is a true patriot. She is a small-town woman through and through, and that shows in the way she treats everyone around her.

“I admire her caring nature, thoughtful gifts and relentless pursuit of happiness,” Norton said. “And her care for others.”

O’Toole is a retired schoolteacher who taught so many people throughout Athlone. She was a much-admired teacher who people really enjoyed having, and the way many of her past students grew up speaks for itself.

She is a very invested individual as well. If O’Toole is close with someone and truly cares about them, she is going to show that.

“She was the first person to congratulate me on passing my car test and let me drive her home,” Norton said.

While this may sound like a simple gesture, it just goes to show that O’Toole is big on being there for people. She does not care how small or large the moment may be, she is going to extend a warm congratulations.

“She is a friend for eternity,” Norton stated.

O’Toole has been coming to Applegreen Athlone for 13 years, and she has made her presence felt every time she has walked in. She has always remained true to herself and true to her roots, and she has been a beloved customer for that reason.

“You are truly appreciated by the staff at Applegreen Athlone,” Norton said.

Applegreen Athlone is happy for O’Toole, and they hope she does not become a stranger whenever she is in the area. Her moving to Spain will make the visits to the station that much more meaningful, and they are looking forward to when they cross paths once again.