Retired Meals on Wheels program director recognized for her dedicated service
Not closures, nor frost of winter, nor early morning of New Year’s Day would keep Mary Pataky from making sure Meals on Wheels ran smoothly.
The program director, who recently retired, has worked with the organization for 30 years, and ensured community members around Butler’s downtown get meals delivered regardless of the weather or time of day.
Pataky was surrounded by current and former volunteers and community members in the lower level of St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Friday, Oct. 20, as people lined up for cookies and conversation to honor her dedication to the program.
Volunteers and co-workers seemed to all have a story illustrating Pataky’s commitment to the mission.
“She always wants to help,” Natalie Wall, assistant director and volunteer coordinator of Meals on Wheels, said. “She would go above and beyond no matter what it took.”
Irene James, board president, recalled Pataky’s unwavering help on innumerable occasions.
In the winter of 2018, the building’s pipes burst in the church on East Jefferson Street, destroying furniture, files and equipment.
Pataky worked around the clock with the staff, James said.
Marilyn Boyer, who has volunteered with Meals on Wheels for about nine years with her husband Larry, said Pataky’s dedication and spirit always stood out.
“She’s a wonderful, wonderful, heartfelt part of everything here,” Boyer said. “She cares about everybody. She cares about all of us. She cares about the clients that she serves. She cares about the kitchen.”
On Friday evening, James presented a monetary gift to Pataky on behalf of the board.
“For all your love, dedication, loyalty and commitment to this program,” James said. “You are one hell of a strong person.”
Two-and-a-half years ago, Pataky was diagnosed with cancer. Getting up to work each morning and seeing her friends at Meals and Wheels helped, she said.
“You know, you wake up and you don’t feel too good, you just keep yourself going and you know you’re coming into spending the day with your friends,” Pataky said. “In the long-run it was good. It helps with the process.”
Pataky started working with Meals on Wheels in 1993 as an assistant cook. She then worked as volunteer coordinator and assistant director, before finally becoming program director.
“Thirty years, I don’t know where they went, but they were such good years,” Pataky said, addressing the group of friends and volunteers. “I got to meet the best people ever here at Meals on Wheels. I know y’all wanted to be here, and it was so obvious when you came in. We were just family. We wanted to be together. And you gave your heart, you gave your all — you still do — and I miss that terribly.”
The head cook of two years, Terri Tirk, accepted Partaky’s former role and began training to become the director earlier this month.
Pataky said she was drawn to the organization because it allowed her to help her neighbors.
“It’s just taking care of your own here in the community,” she said. “That’s what we should do. We should step up.”
