GREENE – Yesterday was the first Monday in more than three decades – with the exception of vacations – that Suzanne Jones didn’t go to work at the Village of Greene. The long-time village clerk/treasurer retired on Friday, after serving the municipality for 31 years.
“She’s done a fantastic job for us,” said Mayor Marcia Miller, who used words like “compassionate,” “dedicated,” “knowledgeable” and “caring” to describe the woman she says has become a close friend to her during the 21 years they have worked together.
Jones began working for the village in 1979 as deputy clerk/treasurer. In 1990, she was appointed to the village clerk/treasurer position. During her tenure she has served under five mayors, taken minutes at some 388 board meetings and worked more than 64,480 hours on the clock.
According to those who have had the privilege of working with her, including Miller, Jones has left an indelible mark on the village and big shoes for her successor to fill.
“I certainly wish her the best,” stated Village Police Chief Steve Dutcher, who said he has “thoroughly enjoyed” working with Jones over the past 7 1/2 years. “She’ll definitely be greatly missed.”
Both Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Thurston and Deputy Clerk Pamela Thorn were emotional last week, as they worked along Jones in her final days before her retirement.
“I’ve always looked up to her,” said a teary Thurston, who described Jones as her mentor. On a personal level, she added, she had also been there for every important milestone in her life throughout the 26 years they worked together.
Thorn, who has worked under Jones for 11 years, echoed Thurston’s sentiments.
“She’s not just a boss; she’s a friend,” she explained, adding that the longtime village clerk’s retirement still felt “unreal” to her, even though they have had several months to adjust to the idea.
Jones officially informed the board of her intention to retire in January, but said she had first broached the topic with them three years ago.
“I told them they had three years left with me,” she explained. “The timing was in the overall plan.”
Jones said when she took the job at the age of 25, she never imagined she’d still be there 31 years later.
“The years have basically flown,” she said. Now, at 56, she says she is ready for the next phase of her life. Her plans include spending more time with her family and traveling with “Pokey,” as Eric, her husband of 38 years, is known. They are particularly interested in traveling out West, she explained, and have already planned a cross country trip in their camper for the spring.
On April 5, the outgoing village clerk began training her replacement, Greene resident and former-Oxford High School Principal Christine Pierce. When asked if she had any words of wisdom for the woman who will fill her shoes, Jones flashed her signature smile.
“I told her (to) just keep laughing,” she replied, explaining that was how she’s gotten through the trials and tribulations over the years.
For the most part though, Jones said she has good memories of the great people she’s encountered and worked with over the years.
“I’m fortunate to have worked in a place where all the coworkers are like family,” she explained.
But it isn’t only memories she’ll take with her. Jones will have a unique memento to remind her of her years with the village as she embarks on the next chapter of her life. Last Monday, during her final board meeting, she was presented with a special charm bracelet.
“I wanted something to signify each of the village’s departments,” explained Mayor Miller, who picked each of the charms adorning the bracelet. They include a toilet seat for sewer, H20 for water, a lightning bolt for the electric department, hand cuffs for the police, a fire hydrant for the fire department, an office chair and a computer, in honor of her own role in the village office.
The center charm is a heart, the mayor said, because Jones “has been the heart of and given her heart to the village for 31 years.”
“She’s leaving us in good hands, but it won’t be the same without Suzie,” Miller said.