When Irene Morgan left work for the final time Friday, her car was warmed up and driven to the entrance, and her coworkers watched as a red carpet was rolled out for her to make her last walk outside.

Morgan, a Westbrook resident, retired Friday on the 50th anniversary of the day she started at MPX, a printing and digital services company in Portland. When she started at age 26, she ran a sheet collator, which essentially glued forms together. At the time, you could only do a single sheet at a time.

“There’s no question it’s changed a lot,” she said, referring to the company’s transition to digital services. Morgan also worked in the bindery in the early days, when MPX was based on Anderson Street in Portland. When the company grew, it built its current facility on outer Congress Street.

Eventually, she was manager of shipping and bindery, but for the last 25 years Morgan has worked in administration, as assistant to the president of the company.

Chuck McCatherin, the client relationship manager for MPX, said Monday that Morgan saw a tremendous period of transition for the business, but that she stood out as someone who could adapt to quick changes.

“It’s a totally different world from when Irene joined the business,” he said. “She had that ability to switch gears.”

MPX now takes documents from banks and other businesses and uses custom software to improve the statements and sends them to customers electronically or by mail.

When asked if she was surprised by last week’s sendoff, Morgan said, “I would’ve been surprised if they hadn’t done something.”

“That’s one thing about the company, they’re very good about honoring people and recognizing employees,” she said.

But, she added, she was a little surprised at what they did. Morgan was told to keep her key to the building, which was called the key to the city.

“It was very nice, and quite emotional after all those years,” she said.

Morgan was also treated to a Skype session with MPX President Robert Willis, who was in Austrailia. Morgan said it was her first experience with Skype.

Morgan estimated that she had worked with McCatherin for 25 years.

“She wasn’t going to stop until she hit 50 years,” McCatherin said Monday. “She had a real presence about her. She commanded respect, and she earned that.”

The company also held a retirement party for Morgan in December.

Morgan grew up on Munjoy Hill and went to Portland High School. She lives on Pine View Road in Westbrook.

Longevity also runs in her family. According to McCatherin, Morgan’s brother, Bill Breen, worked at MPX for 60 years.

Morgan said her brother, who died last year, was responsible for initially bringing her to MPX.

Now, Morgan said, she’ll enjoy retirement by continuing to bowl weekly at Colonial Bowling Lanes in Westbrook, and play cards with a group of eight friends that get together every week.

“Other than that, I’ll be going up to the casino every once in a while,” she said.

Westbrook resident Irene Morgan, left, retired last week 50 years to the day from when she started at Portland company MPX. During a retirement celebration on her last day, Jan. 15, she was given a special key to the office and received a red carpet escort to her car. With her is Mike Wells, the next most-tenured employee at nearly 34 years. 

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