NEW PHILADELPHIA - Margaret Coleman did what her father suggested and decided to give back to her community.
She recently retired as treasurer of the Borough of New Philadelphia after 45 years of service.
The 88-year-old started as treasurer when she was 43.
"He suggested I take the job," she said of her late father, Vincent Stutz.
Her father was council president and decided not to run. At the same time, the treasurer was not interested in serving either. Coleman said she started in fall of 1968. She retired earlier this year after she broke her left shoulder in March.
The borough council awarded her a plaque for her service Aug. 6.
Council President Tom Rowan was impressed with her dedication and length of time on the job.
"That's an awful long time to have a job," he said Thursday by phone.
He has been on council for 16 years and council president for three.
"She did an excellent job," he said of Coleman.
He does not remember her ever missing a meeting.
Coleman didn't even sign her resignation letter because she could not write due to the injury, he said.
"She actually had her daughter sign it for her," Rowan said.
The council accepted Coleman's resignation in June.
Coleman said she enjoyed her time as treasurer. Through the job she learned to be more patient and a better listener.
"I enjoyed it," she said of the job.
Coleman stays busy with her family since her resignation. She has four children, 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Rowan said he and the other members of council will miss Coleman.
"Just the fact that she was always there and always did a good job for us. She's a spry old lady. She must have enjoyed the job or she wouldn't have stuck around that long," he said.