A fixture at the Sewickley Valley YMCA has retired after a 40-year stint.

Judy Scioscia, 67, of Leet was all smiles – and somewhat teary-eyed – during a send-off celebration on April 6. Scioscia has served as that YMCA’s membership director since 2010, but had served in several roles there since 1981.

“I grew up in the Y,” the Butler native said.

When she moved to Leet in 1981, she was looking for a freelance writing gig at the Sewickley Valley YMCA. She was hired to write public relations items, but the job led to other roles through the years, including teaching swim lessons, fencing, pre-school gymnastics and others.

The roles over the years led to deep connections with staff and Y members. As people came to say their goodbyes, Scioscia greeted each person by their first name.

“I hope I get a new boss just as nice as her,” said Lori Lanjmann. The front desk worker has held her job for five years – Scioscia interviewed her and hired her.

“She’s fair and good-hearted,” Lanjmann said. The 69-year-old thought initially she’d be considered too old for the job. “But I’m glad I applied.”

Leslie Liebscher, chairwoman of the Y’s membership committee, said Scioscia is a wonderful leader.

“She’s inspirational and a pleasure to work with,” she said. Scioscia also serves on the membership committee.

Liebscher described Scioscia as a woman who is dedicated to the YMCA and that she puts her heart, mind and spirit into the job.

“That’s so hard to find in a person,” she said.

The retirement send-off lasted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., allowing a steady stream of people to come and go. Scioscia’s co-workers decorated a room with balloons, streamers, flowers, cupcakes and a cake.

Toward the end of the party, the staff from the membership department surprised Scioscia with a poem, a bottle of red wine, a glass to go with it and a birdhouse embossed with the YMCA’s motto: “Body, Mind, Spirit.”

Scioscia loves to garden and said the birdhouse would be a good addition.

“It’s so hard to leave because of the relationships I have with the members and the team,” she said. “It’s just such a supportive social system – and there’s not one employee here who doesn’t go the extra mile. They each go beyond – it’s just what they do. It’s our culture.”

In retirement, Scioscia said she hopes to spend time in the garden, traveling with her husband, Mark, and spending time with her grandchildren.

She also said she hopes to stay involved with helping nonprofits in the area.

“I love nonprofits,” she said. “I like to connect people. So over the years, I think I’ve made an effort to do that … we’re a small community with large needs.”

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