The mayor's executive assistant, Pat Whitehead, will retire May 6 after a 26-year career with the city.
West Springfield Town Hall.WEST SPRINGFIELD – Pat Whitehead, the mayor’s executive assistant, will retire May 6 after 26 years with the city.
Whitehead, 61, said she has mixed feelings about leaving the city’s employ.
“The only reason I am retiring is I want to spend more time with my family. The grandchildren are young and this is the time to enjoy them. ... I’m sad because this has been part of my life for a long time,” Whitehead said of her work with the city.
Whitehead praised Mayor Edward J. Gibson, the city’s first and only mayor and for whom she has worked since 2001.
“The mayor is the most wonderful person,” Whitehead said. “He has been a great person to work for.”
Gibson also had high praise for his assistant.
“I’m going to miss her immeasurably,” he said. “She has been my right arm the past 10 years.”
Whitehead, who is paid about $63,000 a year, said she may stay on past May 6 to train her replacement.
Before becoming Gibson’s assistant, Whitehead worked from 1994 to 2001 as the administrative secretary to the town’s selectmen. When the city switched from the town meeting form of government to the mayoral form, the Board of Selectmen was disbanded.
When Whitehead joined the city’s employ, she worked in the Accounting Department office, a position she held for about six years. She went on to serve as assistant town clerk for three years.