It was a career that spanned six decades.

While a lot of faces came and went, she remained a constant.

After 35-plus years in the public eye, Donna McGarry has retired.

McGarry wrapped up her illustrious tenure in Palmerton on Feb. 24.

She most recently served as borough manager, appointed in 2019.

Starting out

McGarry, 62, began with the borough in 1978, shortly after she graduated from Palmerton Area High School.

“A woman (Mary Haja) who was working here, was leaving,” McGarry said. “She called me and suggested I apply.”

McGarry began as a clerk, a position she held from October 1978-March 1980.

From there, she served as administrative aide from 1982-1989, and then interim borough manager in 1989 after then-borough Manager John Kasten left and before former borough Manager Rodger Danielson was hired.

McGarry returned to being administrative aide from 1993-2001.

She served her longest stretch with the borough as treasurer from 2001-2019.

In 2019, McGarry was hired as borough manager to replace Danielson, who retired.

McGarry, of Towamensing Township, cited what she enjoyed most about her tenure with the borough.

“Helping our residents and the public,” she said.

McGarry said she had plenty of help along the way.

“Regarding my experience and knowledge, my managers were excellent people to work with,” she said. “Much of what I learned came from working with John Kasten, who served as borough manager from 1981-1989. He entrusted me with projects that helped me learn more about municipal operations, and encouraged me along the way.

Kasten wasn’t the only individual who played a pivotal role in McGarry’s success.

“Rodger Danielson also had confidence in me, which allowed me to grow and learn,” she said.

It also helped to have the support of her constituents on borough council, McGarry said.

“The borough councils that I have served under were supportive,” she said. “They were also a pleasure to work with since taking over the manager’s position because they all work as a team.”

And what would a borough manager be without her office staff?

“I can’t say enough about the staff I have worked with,” she said. “We always worked well together toward the same public service goal.”

Coming full circle

On her second to last day on the job, the borough staff held a party for McGarry that was attended by family and friends.

That evening, McGarry sat in on her final borough council meeting, at which time she was recognized by council for 35 years of dedicated service to the borough.

While her time in the public spotlight proved fruitful, McGarry said, “Serving the public is not for everyone.”

“You do what you can, when you can, for people and you can’t make everyone happy,” she said. “But, when people from inside and outside the borough would approach me about how they believed (or heard) I did a good job, then you know you have done something right.”

McGarry said she’s confident with the direction the borough is headed in.

“I believe our leadership is excellent, and I have confidence in the new (borough) manager,” she said.

Last month, borough council hired Autumn Canfield as its new borough manager/secretary/treasurer at a salary of $94,000.

Canfield, of White Haven, most recently served as assistant manager of Tobyhanna Township.

Canfield started as Palmerton borough manager on Monday.

After fulfilling a lengthy career filled with plenty of triumphs, McGarry said she has her sights set on the future.

“Plans include spending time with grandchildren and other retired family members and friends, gardening, hiking, relaxing,” she said. “And then figuring out what I want to do with the rest of my life.”