By Michele Gillis, Staff Writer
Jean Galvin was all dolled up for her 86th birthday party last month, complete with a hot pink boa, a tiara and a bright purple sash reading "Birthday Girl."
Galvin worked with her daughter, Eileen Blocker, owner of Magnolia Properties, for 30 years — but not anymore (at least not right now).
Blocker held a birthday party last month to honor her mother at her office located in Baymeadows where more than 60 agents and friends came to enjoy some time with her.
"She's been my assistant since the beginning and we always did an office birthday party for her since all the agents knew her," Blocker said. "She has such good relationships with them."
Blocker decided that even though her mother wasn't working in the office, she'd still throw a birthday party for her.
"Mom doesn't believe she is retired just yet and thinks she is coming back to work," said Blocker.
Galvin said she loved every minute of working as her daughter's assistant for the past 30 years.
"We got along very well, most of the time," Galvin said, with a smile.
She left the office in January due to health problems and has been resting at home.
"I'm hoping to come back to work soon, if they'll still have me," said Galvin. "I loved it and I don't want to leave it yet."
Galvin started working with her daughter when Blocker was with Walter Williams Realty. She'd often come to the office in the evenings and see if she could help her out.
Galvin decided to get a real estate license so she could be an asset to her daughter's business and the agents around her.
"I loved having Mom work here," said Blocker. "She has always been my best friend. She helped me with my kids as I was a single parent. When I started Magnolia Properties, it was really just her and I. She stayed all this time."
Blocker said her mother has always been a mentor to her agents. She would leave notes for the agents and call them.
"In the last few years, she'd sit up there with the agents on floor duty and help them and encourage them," said Blocker. "She is really something and knows a lot about real estate."
Galvin said he learned a lot watching her daughter work and wanted to help other agents be successful.
"Eileen is a great boss and a great person," said Galvin. "She is mentoring people all the time."
Blocker said everyone really misses her mom being in the office every day.
"Everyone asks about her all the time," said Blocker. "She used to really keep up with all the agents' personal lives and prayed for them. She knew more about their lives than I did."