Tracy Wood is calling it quits after 30 years of serving the city of Hoquiam.

Jobs have challenges, jobs include elements people don’t like. They include the good stuff like your favorite co-worker, maybe a supportive boss. But a least favorite part for Wood? It doesn’t sound like there has been one.

“I don’t know that I have had a ‘least favorite’ part,” Wood said. “I have always just done what’s been asked. I am going to miss everyone.”

The dutiful Wood, who’s worked full-time since she was a teenager, will sorely be missed. She’ll be missed on the dais at Hoquiam City Council, where she sits near Hoquiam Mayor Ben Winkelman and Hoquiam’s City Administrator Brian Shay.

“I’m really excited for her,” Winkelman said. “She does so much, not just in her formal job description but for everybody in the community. It’s funny, if anyone’s ever not sure they go ‘I think Tracy does that.’ She’s been an amazing employee and makes a fine contribution to our community, both in civic activities and through the city. It’s hard to tell sometimes when she’s at work and when she’s not.”

Shay gave Wood a big compliment.

“Tracy has been instrumental to the city of Hoquiam for three decades and she has left a long legacy of excellent public service,” Shay said. “Her first day with the city was July 18, 1994.”

She’s worn many hats

Wood has served as city council secretary and community services coordinator. Shay explained how essential Wood has been to the city’s operations.

“Her job duties as community services coordinator were so encompassing. She was the council secretary, she managed (Sunset Memorial Park) Cemetery, including finding graves, selling grave (sites), coordinating services. She managed the community events, like Loggers’ Playday and Hoquiam Push Rods, and festivals at (Olympic) Stadium. She was in charge of the scheduling at Olympic Stadium, and John Gable Park for all the youth sports programs (there), and high school sports. She managed a lot of the construction projects we would do. She would send out the bid documents to bidders. She wrote a ton of grants for the city. A lot of the grants we got for Olympic Stadium in the last several years, Tracy took the lead on doing those grants. Many years ago, I know she was very involved in getting one of the first grants the city ever got to restore the train station, which is just a beautiful building in Hoquiam now. … She leaves an extremely long legacy of projects that were completed, amazing events that she coordinated.”

Celebration glitch

Winkelman relayed the thoughts he had about getting something special lined up for Wood on Monday night, the last city council meeting she’ll work. But there was a challenge.

“It’s funny, because I thought we could get a cake or some cupcakes, stuff like that,” Winkelman said. “But, usually the person we call to do that is Tracy. And just like doing the photos, she doesn’t like being the center of attention. I know she’s got some time scheduled in the next week or so with employees and stuff outside of work hours so they can celebrate her retirement.”

Winkelman did, however, have some nice sentiments for Wood during the council meeting and then afterward. While Wood was a bit bashful after the meeting, Winkelman got her to stand for a photograph with he and Shay inside the city council chambers.

Wood talked about her favorite part of working for the city. She also serves as the community services coordinator.

“I have enjoyed all of my positions and ‘hats’ with the city,” Wood said. “I am pretty passionate about (Sunset Memorial Park) Cemetery and helping families, so that has been something I have considered as a favorite part of my job. I have also served under five different mayors and so many council members, as well as some pretty awesome coworkers.”

Wood is going to have to get used to not seeing her co-workers Monday through Friday.

“I will truly miss them all,” Wood said. “My public works crew has been amazing and so great to work with. They are involved in so many things that I have done over the last several years. They do a lot more than just water, sewer and streets.”

Fortunately for Wood, she isn’t planning on leaving Hoquiam any time soon, so she’ll still be able to see “everyone,” but “it just won’t be an everyday thing anymore.”

Future plans

Wood’s transition to retirement will be a “big change.”

“I have worked full-time since I was 14, (so) 53 years,” Wood said. “A little over 30 years of that was here so this is going to be different. I have plans with my family and will get to spend more time with them.”

Even though she’ll get to flip the page to her next chapter, she leaves a void for the city.

“She’s gonna be hard to replace,” Shay said. “I’ve worked closely with her now for 20 years. I’m gonna miss her dearly. She’s someone who I can always count on. We’ve had a great partnership. And I’m personally gonna miss her. We have huge shoes to fill. She’s amazing and I really hope she has an awesome retirement, because she deserves it.”

Retirement party

For several years, Wood has worked in town as a bartender at 8th Street Ale House — 207 8th St. Her work there makes for a perfect spot to celebrate Wood’s retirement.

On Friday night, at 5:30 p.m., Shay said there will be a party in Wood’s honor in the beer garden at 8th Street Ale House. It’s even posted in several areas inside Hoquiam City Hall.

“It’s open to the public,” Shay said. “Anyone who’s known Tracy, or worked with Tracy is invited to come down.”