The McHenry County Retired Teachers Association was established at 2:30 P.M. on April 26, 1960, at Clarence Olson School, Woodstock.  In addition to two persons from IRTA and two from the Lake County RTA, McHenry County retired teachers present were Vida Austin, Helen Brewer, Mary Gannon, Frances Garland, Margaret Gillies, Mary Gillies, Catherine Renich, and Cora White.

MCRTA is an affiliate of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, founded in 1955; and the National Retired Teachers Association, founded in 1947 and the parent of the American Association of Retired Persons.  MCRTA works closely with IRTA to enhance the welfare of all retired teachers in the State of Illinois.

Over the years, our MCRTA leadership has been in the hands of loyal, dedicated retired teachers.  Those who have served as presidents for our organization are listed below.  The Association appreciates their outstanding guidance.

1960          * Frances Garland, Woodstock
1961-62     *Suzanne Reed, Elected President and *Katherine Renich, "Presiding President", Woodstock
1963-64     *Iola Shepard, Harvard
1965-66     *Frances Brand, Crystal Lake
1967-70     *Julia Feffer, Crystal Lake
1971-72     *Jennette Burbank, Woodstock
1973-76       Lucille Thurow, Huntley
1977-78     *Leila Coons, Woodstock
1979          *John Richards, Woodstock
1980-81     *Olive Nolan, Woodstock
1982-83     *Carrie Hage, Harvard
1984-87     *Herb Mroch, Harvard
1988-89     *Vernon Hajeck, Woodstock
1989            Eleanor Wilkens, Woodstock
1990-93       DuWayne Sheldon, Crystal Lake
1994-97       Ken Swanson, Ringwood
1998           *Bill Courtright, Harvard
1998-2001    Steve Polep, Cary
2002-2005    Marti Swanson, Ringwood
2006-             Al Boeldt

________
 *  Deceased

In 1994, MCRTA instituted a policy of awarding honorary local life membership to long-time members.  Those so honored include the following:

1994
* Mildred Flanders

1995
* Stasia Gannon
* Gladys Maushak
* Elizabeth Orr

1996
* Helen Anderson
* Clarence Anglese
* Lillian Bolger
* May Chesak
* Leila Coons
* Hannah Lloyd
* Leonard McCracken
* Marie Moritz
* Freeda Avis Pankonin
* Vera Perry
Lucille Thurow

1997
* Doris Clinansmith
* Evalyn Johansen
* Irene Rings
* Ruth Wilson

1998
* Hazel Heideman
* Marian Krockow
* Catherine Miller
* Hilda Tigard

1999
* Loretta Foley
* Geraldine Frederick
* Erma George
* Lucille Maguire

2000
* Florence Hunt
Carroll Rudden

2001
* Alice Clark
* Rosamond Hilton
* Roland McCannon

2002
* Lucy Blake
* Kathryn Hornbostel
* Ruby Pierce
* Mabel Wyman
* Gene Zalucha

2003
Raymond Despard
* Ruth Dooley
* Alice Ferris
Katherine Huck
* Hazel Passmore
* William Rossiter

2004
Beulah Allayaud

2006
Arlene L Echternach
Jeanne C Flanagan
Bertha V Fyfe
* Marion Karlove
Maxine Kempf
Edith Newcomer

Deaths updated June ‘08