On Thursday, April 18, friends, family and esteemed officials came together in Needham’s Powers Hall to celebrate the retirement one of the Town’s longest running officials. Town Clerk, Theadora Eaton.
Best know as “Tedi”, Eaton has been the voter elected Needham Town Clerk for and astounding 42 years.Town official and Needham resident Eaton wore many hats as Town Clerk, such as, keeper of the town records and issuer of all applicable town licenses’, applications and permits. Eaton was also the town Notary and Justice of the Peace, presiding over hundreds of Town Hall wedding ceremonies and even on the Town Common; one of the few places to remain available for weddings during the COVID pandemic. Arguably though, Eaton’s most notable duty as Town Clerk was the overseeing of all Needham’s local, state, national and special elections. Countless hours were spent making sure all elections held in Needham were run throughly, fairly and without interruption, adhering to all the laws and regulations governing all levels of elections. For 42 years Eaton and her staff worked tirelessly to make sure polling locations where available, staffed and safe for all residents looking to exercise their right to vote.
At Thursday night’s retirement ceremony, guests gathered to enjoy light refreshments before Master of Ceremonies, Dave Davison’s, Town of Needham’s Deputy Town Manager/Director of finance, opening remarks. Many other State and town officials and long time friends were on also on hand for the evening. Senator Becca Rausch, State Representative Denise Garlick, Town Moderator Michael Fee and Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick all took the stage to share a few emotional, and sometimes humorous, words about Eaton and her lengthy tenure. Eaton herself, then took the stage to share a few emotional words.
Later Eaton went on to say: “I want to thank each and everyone who attended my retirement party and to especially thank my staff for making this happen along with the Town Manager’s Office and, of course, each speaker with their special and meaningful words. I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude to each and everyone of you. You all are what have made this job such a treasure. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
Other guest speakers included Select Board Chair, Kevin Keene, Finance Committee Member, Jim Healy and Massachusetts Town Clerk Association President (MTCA), Liz Greendale. As the night concluded, guests, Town Officials, Eaton’s family, friends and other notable Needhamites were treated to a congratulatory retirement cake cut by Eaton herself.
As Eaton exits her role as Town Clerk, the vacated position will be filled by new town Clerk Louise Miller. While Eaton will be sorely missed, she will not be far from hand as she still holds a seat as a Needham town committee member. On behalf of Hometown Weekly, we wish Tedi all the best in all her new endeavors.
