Proud of the growth that Hobart Post Office has shown since taking over as Postmaster, it is with mixed feelings that Denise Lovejoy made the decision to put her feet up and join the many others before her in the playful world of retirement.
Coming to Hobart in March 2000, Lovejoy brought with her 9 years of knowledge she had built up since joining the postal ranks at the Enumclaw Post Office on January 12, 1991. From Enumclaw she went on to work in Auburn, Deer Park (north of Spokane) for approximately 15 months, and then back to Maple Valley in 1994 where she became Supervisor in 1995.
Lovejoy became Hobart’s 10th Postmaster since its opening on May 9, 1903. At that time, William Sidebotham was appointed as the first Postmaster with the mail being distributed from the company store operated by the town’s sawmill.
While the Hobart Post Office is a full-fledged post office taking care of stamps, parcels, mailings, PO boxes, etc., there are some aspects it does not take care of such as passports and no area parcel/mail deliveries. Over the 22 years of service to the Hobart area, Lovejoy has seen the revenue explode for the tiny office space she has enjoyed along with a few helpers.
Not sure who will be taking over the business when she retires officially as of January 28th, Lovejoy stated that her Postmaster position opening will be posted internally through the post office system once she has left her post.
“I’ve loved it here,” stated Lovejoy of her many memories of the people she’s met and served. During her nearly 22 years of Hobart service, she has been able to watch any number of kids grow up and graduate from college – some even bringing their little ones in to say hi.
Even though she is retiring, Lovejoy will be popping in now and again to say howdy. Living in Federal Way where she still owns the childhood home she grew up in, the Auburn born native has family in Maple Valley and Black Diamond, so she will be making her way out here to duck her head in quite often. And if Hobart store owner Warren Iverson has any say – she’ll be working in the store soon after retirement.
But before she is completely gone from sight to enjoy traveling with her first planned trip in February, a party will be held in her honor at the Hobart store on Wednesday, February 2 between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Be sure to drop in and help her celebrate her new journey in life!
