Friends give McKeesport Hospital Foundation's Matuch fond farewell
About 170 friends of Michele Matuch gathered Saturday at Youghiogheny Country Club in Elizabeth Township to celebrate her retirement.
Many of them sang her accolades for her 41 years of service at what was then McKeesport Hospital. In 1994, she began her work with the McKeesport Hospital Foundation and was named executive director six years later.
“I have been truly blessed that God has given me all the people in this room,” Matuch said. “We are all working together to make this community strong. We have some model programs that need to continue.”
Thanking all those involved with the many projects she has been part of through the years, Matuch said, “You are my angels. I wear this ‘Believe' button and people ask what it means. We believe that God has given us the ability to do what we do. But I believe in each of you and when you believe in each other we will succeed.”
Dave Coplan of the Mon Valley Providers Council served as master of ceremonies. Festivities began with Eliana R. Latterman presenting the honoree with a corsage followed by the invocation by the Rev. Earlene Coleman. The Rev. Arlene Walker gave the benediction at the end of the evening.
Proclamations were given by state Sen. James Brewster, Tom Maglicco for state Rep. Marc Gergely and county Councilman Bob Macey. McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said he knew about Michele since childhood when he played ball with her son Robert, who was at the dinner. “My mother raved about how great Michele was. As a teacher I heard the same great things about Michele. I would have thought there was no way to exceed the expectations I had of her but she did. She is McKeesport through and through. This is the first time I've presented this to anyone since I've been mayor and I'm proud to present this to my friend,” he said, giving Matuch the key to the city.
Irv Latterman, former president of the McKeesport Hospital Foundation board, said when there was a worthy cause in the community “Michele was involved. Our community is a better place to live because of you, Michele.”
UPMC McKeesport president Mark Sevco said Matuch “created a better future for UPMC McKeesport and a better and brighter future for our community,” and hospital board member Rebecca Shaw McHolme said she is a “lady of dedication and loyalty to the institutions she is involved with.”
Other speakers included Alice Jones, Alison Piccolino, Jim Spindler, John Smith, Sharon Soles, Gladys Hunt-Mason, Charlene Flaherty, Toni Stolic, Joe Donkin, John Goodrum, Ocie Paige, Jason Chavis, the Rev. Deborah Kociban, Robert Hammond, the Rev. Bruce Mounts and Dr. Rula S. Skezas.
Matuch received numerous gifts, including a Steelers gift basket. There was a video made of the festivities, including well-wishes from friends and colleagues.
