Page 12 - Newsletter_Spring_2022

Spotlight on Alumni

By Nancy Ketch ‘82

Cathy Daniels O’Leary

Class of 1973

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person stays at a job Cathy Daniels O’Leary ‘73 retires after 44
years of municipal service
approximately four years and changes jobs twelve times in their lifetime. While
Cathy Daniels O’Leary ’73 has had nearly a dozen “jobs” or titles, she has been an
employee for the Town of Houlton for more than four decades.

Cathy’s dedication to the Town is amazing, her knowledge is unsurpassed and her impact on the community is immeasurable,
yet her time with the Town is ending. In fact, by the time you read this, Cathy will likely be retired.

After 43 ½ years, she has more than earned her retirement. That does not mean she will not be missed, though. Her absence
will be felt by Town officials, her co-workers, and the residents she has assisted over the years.

Cathy started working for the Town of Houlton in December 1978 through an on-the-job training program placing people in
public agency jobs. It was a one-year position where she worked as extra help in the Town Office performing a variety of tasks.
She was interviewed by Mary Campbell and Nedra Savage Hanson ‘65 who would become her longtime co-workers.

After that one-year program, Cathy spent a few years working in the Community Development Department doing phone
surveys and helping to administer a housing program that was in place at that time. She worked with the likes of Charles
Upton, Preston Gilbert, Richard Michaud and Andrea Nightingale.

In the early 80’s, Cathy moved downstairs to the main office when there was an opening for an account clerk. She worked
with then Town Clerk Mary Campbell as the Deputy Clerk. Cathy worked side-by-side with Mary and expressed how much
she learned from her.

When Mary retired in the early 90’s, Cathy started her journey
After 43 ½ years, she has more as Town Clerk. While Town Clerk, she also held the titles of
Deputy Town Treasurer, Election Warden, Registrar of Voters,
than earned her retirement. and Agent for Motor Vehicle. She served as General Assistance
(GA) Administrator for many years following the retirement
of Mary Ellen Emery. For approximately 15 years, Cathy has
been the Assistant Town Manager as well as Town Clerk. She has served as Interim Town Manager six times and has worked
for eleven different Town Managers.

In addition to her many roles at the Town Office, Cathy worked on an Ordinance Committee and a Charter Committee. She
has been a member of the Maine Town & City Clerks Association (MTCCA) and chaired their Nominating Committee for a
number of years. While doing GA, she served on the Salvation Army Board.

It is not just the Town who has recognized Cathy’s dedication. In 2005, Cathy was presented with the Ethel N. Kelley
Memorial Award by the Maine Municipal Association (MMA). The MMA web site says the award “recognizes the

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