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Longtime Mailroom Manager Mary Hess Retires
FACULTY AND STAFF NEWS
Her student family encompassed many thousands over a 52-year career.
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photo: John Seiter For nearly four decades and many thousands of times over, every letter, magazine, and parcel that passed through Cazenovia College’s mailroom, whether it was officially stamped that way or not, was decidedly “handled with care.”
That’s how Mary Hess worked – first as clerk, then manager, of the College’s mailroom for the last 37 years. “Mailroom Mary” retired in September, 2020, after 52 years as a College employee, first in Housekeeping, then as mail clerk, then mailroom manager.
For so many who remember her fondly, picking up the mail or having her drop off a package was akin to a special delivery. Emeritus Professor of History Fred Williams describes how Mary “always had a friendly word… was willing to do anything for anybody…always, always, always had a smile on her face.” Mary’s last supervisor, Director of Campus Services Jeff Slocum, says Mary’s personality and work ethic made her a standout employee. “It goes without saying that she is one of the most dedicated employees the College has ever had,” he said.
Mary was good friends with faculty and staff members, but it was the student population that captured her heart and became much like an extended family.
Jeannina Clark ’18, of Liverpool, New York, one of the “Mailroom Mom’s” work-study students, says, “I loved being around her. She didn’t have to ask students’ names; she’d just go pick out your mail when you came for it because she already knew who you were. She brought so much more to the campus than just being there and completing the job she had to do. I don’t think the campus will be the same without her.”
In recognition of her long service, the College is planning to name the mail center “The Mary Hess Mailroom.”
