NORTH FORK – For the second time in as many months, residents of North Fork have had to say goodbye to someone who brightened their day at the local post office.
Deeann Nolan, postmaster in this mountain town since 2006, put in her last day of work on Thursday, July 31, after 36 years of service. Long time employee Alice York retired the end of May.
On this morning, residents gathered outside the lobby to celebrate Deeann and wish her well as she joins her husband in retirement, and serenade her with the Beatles tune “In My Life.”
After the flag was run up the pole at 9 a.m., it was then taken down, folded up and presented to Deeann. This is not part of Postal Service protocol, but rather a local tradition, started by Deeann when Diann Miller retired several years ago.
Representatives from various post offices around the area came to show their support, and Sean Terrio, postmaster at the Shaver Lake office, presented Deeann with a Certificate of Appreciation for all her years of service.
District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler was also on hand to honor the much-loved postmaster with a Certificate of Congratulations from the Madera County Board of Supervisors.
Deeann began her career in Corcoran as a City Carrier in 1978. She was promoted to a new position in Hanford, then moved on to Visalia, Porterville and Avenal, where she served as Officer In Charge for the first time.
In 2004, she transferred to Farmersville, again as OIC, and was then assigned to her first position as postmaster in Woodlake. Deeann arrived in North Fork in 2006, and says she and her husband knew then that this is where they would stay.
“We never wanted to go anyplace else after that,” she says. “I love this community and have been honored to serve as their postmaster. Now I’m just looking forward to spending time with my grandchildren.”
Karen Nemeth, Officer In Charge in Auberry, has now moved over to the North Fork office to fill the position of OIC until a new Postmaster is assigned.
(photo – Sean Terrio Postmaster Shaver Lake, Holly Baker Postmaster Oakhurst, Deeann Nolan, Arvin Sekhon from Auberry, Patti Kascht Postmaster Ahwahnee, Alice York retired from North Fork, Karen Nemeth Officer In Charge Auberry, Kerry Abbott former Postmaster Oakhurst, and Kala Myles from North Fork.)
