For Three Decades, Kings 'Pilgrim Lady' Took Turkey Orders

A longtime holiday helper at a Montclair supermarket has hung up her Pilgrim’s hat.

For nearly three decades, Jessie Billemeyer came to work at the Kings in Upper Montclair around Thanksgiving to assist customers with their turkey orders and other seasonal needs.

Billemeyer, who is 94, won’t be coming back this year, and customers are missing her, manager Peter Gardner said Friday.

Gardner said the beloved employee has moved too far from the store and does not have transportation. She also recently fell and is recovering from a broken hip. 

This would have been Billemeyer’s 30th holiday season at Kings, where she was known to play the part of “The Pilgrim Lady,” wearing a black hat, wide white collar and buckled shoes while stationed at a small table near the bakery section of the Valley Road store. At Christmastime, she would report to duty dressed as Mrs. Claus.

“Jessie told me once that her boss had given her the black hat to wear back in 1983, but that the rest of the costume was entirely her idea,” said John Skillin, a Kings shopper who said he misses Billemeyer’s warm presence. 

“She was very, very personable woman,” Gardner said. “Hopefully, she’ll get in to visit us."

Kings customers who would like to send "Get Well" wishes to Jessie Billemeyer can mail letters to c/o Manager, Kings Super Markets, 650 Valley Road, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043.

Or, send Jessie a note in the comments below, and we’ll make sure she gets a copy of the story.