When 15 former Bethlehem Steel waitresses gathered recently there was much reminiscing and recollecting of their experiences serving many of the captains of the steel industry.

They met at a luncheon held at the Palace Restaurant, many having not seen their former co-workers for years. They are in their 70s and 80s now, but it is easy to imagine them as younger women toiling in Bethlehem Steel's Martin Tower restaurant as they took the orders of steel industry executives by memory and delivered their meals.

Some were full-time and others part-time as the hours allowed them to both work and raise their families. As corporate dining facilities closed, they often moved into other jobs in the corporation's offices.

Their stories were often hilarious. Rose Fertel remembered snacking on hors d' oeuvres as she rode the elevator to deliver trays of them to company functions, and then quickly rearranging them as the elevator reached its destination so that the tray wouldn't look picked over.

"We knew what they drank and what salad dressing they used," offered another.

Janet Miles remembered breaking into tears when she spilled an executive's order, and he told her, "Don't worry; I like it this way."

Lucille Brensinger remembered the experience fondly saying, "We had good jobs and we made good money!"

Waitresses received benefits and cost of living increases much like their counterparts in the offices and plant.

"We had a good time," added Jean Stoll, who along with Mary Ann Fulop organized the luncheon.

As Bethlehem Steel began to undergo the pains of its slide to eventual closure and bankruptcy, a number of the former waitresses said they could see it coming when the company didn't modernize.

How well do these former Bethlehem Steel waitresses tip when they are served? Several said they were very good tippers while others said they always tip 20 percent.

"We know how hard they have to work," came a voice from among the 15.

Attending were Lucille Brensinger, Janet Miles, Violet Kies, Rose Fertel, Barbara Lindenmuth, Rose Bedics, Florence Weaver, Fran Orban, Sandy Lucas, Barbara Raykos, Ann Lancsek, Rose Beach, Martha Kemmerer, Mary Ann Fulop and Jean Stoll.