Donley celebrates retirement

Wearing the same dress that she wore as she was sworn into office 25 years ago, Paulette Donley celebrated her last day as Highland County Clerk of Courts on Friday. 

The clerk's staff threw her a retirement party at the Highland County Courthouse, which was attended by current and former courthouse staff members, county elected officials, attorneys and community members. 

Donley said she hadn't planned to retire until she was on a recent vacation in Florida with friends. 

"I saw how the rest of the world lived," Donley joked. "I thought that it was time to try retirement, smell the roses, and play with my grandchildren. The job has meant a lot to me, but the people have meant more."

Donley said that she and her husband Dick Donley, former Hillsboro City Council president, will still be in Hillsboro and will still be familiar faces. 

"Dick and I are very committed to our community, so you will be seeing us," she said. 

Retired Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert McMullen stopped by to wish Donley well in her retirement, and said that Donley was always a pleasure to work with. 

"I don't think people realize the importance of the relationship between a clerk and a judge," McMullen said. "We're dealing with the same people, the same files, but in a different way. Paulette was always very easy to work with. 

McMullen, whose father was a Highland County Prosecutor, and grandfather was a county sheriff, said that he always loves coming back to the Highland County Courthouse because, "It feels like home to me."

Surrounded by bouquets of flowers, and under a banner that featured a digitized image of Mr. and Mrs. Donley dressed as Prince Charming and Cinderella, Doneley said her time as clerk of courts has been rewarding. 

"It has been an interesting ride," Donley said. "I feel very fortunate, and favored. People singled me out to run for office. I feel like a higher being had a plan for me. My whole life has been here. I feel very blessed."