When Judy Greenleaf first served as Alna’s town clerk and deputy town clerk, the town office was the former Puddle Dock School that had an outhouse for a restroom. That was in the 1980s. By the time the 1965 Wiscasset High School graduate left the clerk’s job in 2001, the office had moved to its current home, a house on Route 218.

Greenleaf returned as deputy town clerk five years ago. On Dec. 31, she plans to retire, thanks to widow’s benefits following the recent death of former husband Neil Greenleaf.

“He has made it so I can go and visit relatives and enjoy the rest of my life instead of having to pinch every penny,” she said at the town office Dec. 2. “I will miss my town folks immensely, because I’m a people person, and I’m a talker ... But I have six grandsons, two granddaughters and three great-grandchildren who will keep me more than busy.”

Plus, Greenleaf, 69, said she will keep coming to the suppers she greatly enjoys at the Alna fire station, and she’ll visit the town office regularly, she said.

The Alna native now lives in Wiscasset, but says she still feels a strong attachment to Alna and the other town officials she has served with over the years.

She loves working with Town Clerk Amy Warner, she said; and Greenleaf said she is particularly pleased that she started and ended her service to the town at times when David Abbott has been first selectman. The two were born on the same day and have been lifelong friends.

Warner said Greenleaf has been like a mother to her, and has been a good resource due to her past service as clerk.

“I’m definitely sorry to see her go but I understand,” Warner said on Dec. 2.

“She did a wonderful job and we’re going to hate seeing her go,” Alna Third Selectman David Reingardt said.

Alna Fire Chief Mike Trask described Greenleaf as a very helpful town employee.

“She’s always been very pleasant to work with,” Trask said on Dec. 1.

Greenleaf plans to continue writing her weekly newspaper column about Alna residents and area activities. She will also help train the next deputy town clerk. No hire has been made; Warner said she has spoken with an interested candidate for the job that runs 10 to 15 hours a week.