SMETHPORT — After 24 plus years, Sue Hogue, will retire from McKean County and conclude her professional service in her role as a resource care coordinator within the Department of Human Services.

During her tenure, Hogue earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. This was no small feat as she commuted three days a week round trip from Kane to the University of Pittsburgh main campus. This extraordinary effort fostered enhancements within the program that were ultimately aimed at delivering an individualized approach to help children and families grow. These principles continue to exist today and Hogue’s investment will continue to form the fabric of the program into the future.

In addition to performing licensing responsibilities to ensure legal and regulatory requirements were satisfied to approve resources parents and their homes, Hogue was instrumental matching children and their needs with homes willing to meet them as well as supporting those placements by connecting them to services and other resources to ensure those needs were met.

In the span of her career, Hogue’s efforts positively touched thousands of children’s lives. No words or objects can represent the impact and value Hogue’s contributions made in these lives. According to Hogue, “I always had it my heart to work” and, one in which “I had found my niche.”

This belief was echoed by her colleagues who expressed appreciation for her devotion to the work she has done and to her efforts to support families and children.

Colleague Lisa Johnston said, “Hogue is an outstanding co-worker and person. She will be missed dearly. We extend a heartfelt thank you and warmest wishes for an amazing and fulfilling retirement.”

Dan Wertz, administrator of the Department of Human Services, praised Hogue’s effort with a quote from Abraham Lincoln, “I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.”

Wertz continued, “Friday, January 29, 2021, formally marks the conclusion of a career devoted to plucking the thistles which contribute to child abuse and to the planting of flowers which took the form of service to families in need and to securing hearts and homes for children needing them.”

“I will miss my co-coworkers, my foster parents and the kids I have grown to love in those foster homes,” stated Hogue as she reflected on her career and the end of this chapter. She has no immediate plans for her retirement and continued, “Only time will tell, but I will not miss the winter commutes over Hazelhurst Hill!”

In remarks at her retirement, Wertz echoed his prior sentiment, “Well done, Hogue. Our communities have far more flowers and far less thistles because of you and people like you.”