Council recognizes late office manager, secretary
SHENANDOAH SENTINEL FILE - Borough secretary Mary Lou Buchinsky speaks at a borough council meeting in 2017.
SHENANDOAH – Borough Council’s monthly meeting Monday evening began on a somber note, with a moment of silence honoring Mary Lou Buchinsky.
Buchinsky had served as the borough’s office manager and secretary for over 20 years, and passed away on July 8.
Councilman Leo Pietkiewicz read aloud a letter from Joe Palubinsky, former borough manager, reflecting on Buchinsky’s life and impact to the borough.
The full text of the letter is as follows:
“Dear Council Members and Mayor:
“My initial intent in providing you this correspondence was to note some of the accomplishments, ongoing projects, issues addressed during my tenure with the Borough and offer advice going forward. Unfortunately, it’s not that important now with the passing of Mary Lou Buchinsky. What is important is to recognize her dedication, concern, and accomplishments for Shenandoah and its residents.
“Mary Lou was not your typical employee in today’s age. She appreciated the opportunity to work, treated people with respect and treated them in the manner she wished to be treated. Despite the challenges the community faced, she was its staunchest supporter and always looked for the good in people, sometimes I thought to a fault. Mary Lou never asked for anything more, but never gave anything less, countless times she went above and beyond her normal duties to assist employees and residents. Public service at times can be difficult especially dealing with misinformed and vindictive people, yet Mary Lou rose above the pettiness.
“The success the Borough had in the last 20 years would not have been possible without Mary Lou’s help. For as good as an employee Mary Lou was, she was an even better person. And for those of us who knew and had contact with her, we became better as well.
“Mary Lou provided Shenandoah and its residents with professionalism, sincerity, and a concern for its/their well-being and it will surely miss her, but the world and society as a whole would be much better off if there were more Mary Lou Buchinskys in it.
“Sincerely, Joseph L. Palubinsky.”
Pietkiewicz fought back tears reading the letter aloud, having served on council for two decades.
Buchinsky was a 1979 graduate of Shenandoah Valley who “loved spending time with family and taking care of everybody” according to her obituary.
She passed away at the age of 58.
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Nice job Joe, you put into words what all of us were thinking!
Omg. She was such a great lady and friend. She will be greatly missed. Your letter Joe did her justice. My prayers are going out to her family and friends. R.i.p.Marylou
Omg. She was a great lady and friend.She will be greatly missed.Your letter joe did her justice.My prayers are going out to her family and friends. R.i.p. Marylou
I would like to thank Joe and Leo. The tribute was beautiful, well written and all true. Mary Lou will be missed and impossible to replace. All of Shenandoah is at a loss. With Love your brother John