Plaque at Greensburg Salem Middle School will honor late crossing guard

The late Karen McPhail rarely forgot a name or a face in her Greensburg community.

“It was unbelievable how she knew everybody,” said Sgt. Donald Sarsfield of the Greensburg Police Department.

McPhail worked for the department for 16 years as a crossing guard, spending much of that time helping Greensburg Salem Middle School students cross the adjacent intersection of Maple Avenue and Grant Street.

Though she lost her battle with cancer in June 2020, at age 75, she will continue to watch over young pedestrians in spirit. After a pandemic-related delay, the school board has agreed to place a donated memorial plaque displaying her photo at the intersection where she stood guard.

McPhail “had a good relationship with all the kids,” said her daughter, Ricki Sterf, a former city crossing guard who returned to fill in when her mother fell ill. “She knew all their names, and she talked to a lot of the parents.”

Known for her smile and engaging personality, McPhail was serious about her job and went the extra mile to serve students and other pedestrians.

“She would take salt with her in the wintertime for the sidewalk, in case the city didn’t get there in time,” Sterf said. “She always had a bag of dog treats in her car. We get as many people walking dogs as children there.”

But, when motorists didn’t show proper respect at her crossing, “she was a little spitfire,” Sterf said. “If (drivers) were speeding or playing music too loud so they couldn’t hear her whistle, she would definitely tell them about it.”

At times, McPhail also would guard younger students as they walked to Nicely Elementary.

“She loved what she did, and she did a great job,” said granddaughter Amber Mefferd, who lives in Florida. “She loved talking to people. She told them to have a good day, and she wanted them to have a good life.”

McPhail’s family wanted to honor her with a plaque, and others donated to help make it a reality, including the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police.

“She knew every police officer who ever worked here,” said Sarsfield, who noted she was a good source of information during his years working the night shift. “She would talk to me every day. She always seemed to know what was going on.”

McPhail worked for the City of Greensburg in various capacities for three decades, according to Sterf. That included a stint with the parking authority. She also was a cleaner for many years at the New Salem Acres apartments.

“People would just smile when they would see her,” said Sterf.

Track named for late coach

On Wednesday, the school board also voted to name the high school track in honor of longtime teacher and cross country and track coach Steve Snider. Snider, 72, of Hempfield, died Feb. 28, at 72, after a long battle with heart complications.

He was an “educator, coach, mentor and a friend to many,” said board President Jeffrey Metrosky.