By Charlotte Boynton
Sue Varney and an old friend, Shelia Sawyer, share a laugh during a retirement party in Varney’s honor at the Wiscasset Senior Center Friday, Dec. 19. (Charlotte Boynton photo) |
After serving the town of Wiscasset for 37 years, Sue Varney was honored Dec. 19 at the Wiscasset Community Center by the state of Maine, town officials, past town officials,
former town employees, family members, her friends, and the people of Wiscasset.
From 4 to 6 p.m. a steady stream of people filled the senior center to wish Varney a happy retirement and express their appreciation for her years of service to the
town.
State Sen. Chris Johnson read and presented Varney with a legislative sentiment in honor of her service to the people of Wiscasset. The sentiment was signed by
President of the Senate Michael Thibodeau and Speaker of the House Mark Eves.
Varney was also presented a mantle clock by the selectmen, with the inscription, “The town of Wiscasset 1979-2014.”
Varney said during an interview last month, working at the town office has been part of her life since before she graduated from Wiscasset High School in 1972. She
worked in the office after school and during summer vacation before graduating.
She became a full-time town employee March 20, 1978, and has filled just about every position at the town office. She said she has many great memories of her time
with the town office crew.
“I have spent more time with them over the years than I have with my own family,” she said. “They have been my family over the years.”
A major life-changing event for Varney was the loss of her husband Ross three years ago, at the age of 62. She said being close to that age, she decided she would
retire while she was in good health and spend more time with her family, although it was a very difficult decision.
Varney told her friends at her retirement party she would still be around. She has no plans to leave Wiscasset, it is her home, and she could not imagine living
anyplace else.
Former interim Town Manager Don Gerrish, former Town Planner Misty Parker, longtime Town Treasurer James George, and many others were on hand to share in wishing
Varney a long and happy retirement.
