It’s all about community: Pat Mahoney leads a life of service
- Mark Jahne
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
by Mark Jahne
Editor
Pat Mahoney is one of those people who quietly make a difference by continuing to show up and roll up her sleeves.
She doesn’t seek any accolades. She doesn’t crave attention. She just wants to do what she can to make this town a better place. She smiled when told that people say she seems to be everywhere.
After years of performing community service those accolades are starting to accumulate. The Newington Chamber of Commerce honored her recently with its Member of the Year Award. She serves on its board of directors.
Mahoney has long been a highly valued member of the GFWC Newington/Wethersfield Woman’s Club. She’s getting older now, and has health issues, but she’s not letting that slow her down.
This active woman lived in many places around the United States before making Newington her home.
“I moved here in July 2013. I drove across country with my daughter,” she recalled. “I grew up in Exeter, N.H.”
She moved to Florida, then back to New Hampshire, where she decided to follow in the steps of her grandmother and aunt and become a hair stylist.
“I went to hairdressing school,” she said.
Mahoney has French Canadian heritage and her extended family includes two Roman Catholic nuns. The mother of two daughters, she also lived in Arizona for a while, and with an aunt in Florida, and was part of a blended family for several years.
“I married a man who had three sons,” she said.
Then there were those nearly 50 years in Oregon. She’s quite comfortable living here and has no plans for any additional moves.
“I’m learning about life from living here. It’s a great town,” she added.
Daughter Kellie teaches in nearby Berlin and lives with her. Mahoney gave up driving because of Parkinson’s disease but still walks to Town Center, which is at least a mile from her home.
“I don’t have a car now, so I walk,” she said.
In addition to the chamber and the women’s club, she is a member of the Friends of the Lucy Robbins Welles Library.
“I was a CERT volunteer, she added.
CERT is the Community Emergency Response Team. Its members are volunteers who are trained to perform various support functions during times of emergency so that first responders can focus on other duties.
Mahoney is passionate about the woman’s club even though at first she didn’t know if it would be a fit. She joined the chamber to garner the club more exposure.
“I didn’t think I wanted to be a club person” she recalled. “I’m not really a woman’s club person, am I?”
That belief quickly changed. She was attracted to its mission of service to others, improving the social, cultural and physical environment, and promoting appreciation of the arts. Members are expected to become responsible community leaders.
“It’s been good for me,” she said.
One of the reasons she cited is that she enjoys meeting people and it affords her the opportunity to do that. Her latest project is to erect a Little Free Library outside the Community Room Café in Town Center. This is being done in partnership with a Boy Scout troop.
Longtime club members and leaders Donna Rechnagel and Chylene Pender shared the following thoughts in writing.
“Pat Mahoney joined our club as an enthusiastic member in 2014 and has continued to be just as enthusiastic today. She served as a dedicated president of the club during the 2017-2018 administration, keeping the club moving in the right direction.
“She was chair of the Membership Committee for a number of years. Wherever we are, Pat always has her business cards and club trifold to hand out to potential members or those who have not yet heard about the club.
“For many years she has been on the Scholarship Committee that currently awards $1,500 to one deserving female student from both Newington and Wethersfield high schools. Pat not only enjoys reading the amazing applications, along with other committee members, but also takes pride in attending the award ceremonies and the opportunity to meet the recipients and their parents.
“Pat was instrumental in starting the Newington Backpack program for eligible families with children enrolled in school. Many families were assisted over the years. Pat and crew can be seen at the CVS garden bringing beauty to the center of town, representing the club at the Lucy Robbins Welles Library race, cleaning Alumni Road, marching in the Memorial Day Parade, at the Waterfall Festival and more.
“She has made numerous opportunities available to the club through volunteering at the Newington Chamber of Commerce. Pat is a true GFWC club woman who is passionate in everything that she does and a thoughtful and caring club sister.”
Leslie Citivitello, executive director of the Newington Chamber of Commerce, also offered praise.
“Pat Mahoney is a wonderful, caring person who will go the extra mile. Literally. She can be seen walking around town to attend chamber meetings, work appointments, GFWC meetings, lunches, exercise classes at the senior center,” she said.
“She is very determined and independent and enjoys utilizing the CT Transit system on a regular basis. Pat is always ready to lend a hand and support chamber events.”
The club is involved in social, cultural and environmental programs. It awards annual scholarships to a graduating senior in Newington and Wethersfield. There is also the Phipps- Schozel Scholarship for women seeking to continue their education.
It promotes reading programs in the Newington Public Schools. It supports the Newington Children’s Theatre Co., Interval House domestic violence shelter, Lucy Robbins Welles Library annual 5K race, Safe Kids CT, the Newington and Wethersfield volunteer fire departments, Laurel Girls State music camp and Lauren Girls State government camp.
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is an international organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. The Newington/Wethersfield chapter was founded by Eleanor G. Fischer in 1998.
To learn more visit gfwc-newington.org or see its Facebook page. NL