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WHEELING - Friends and colleagues of former Marshall County Clerk Jan Pest are remembering her expertise and all the work she did on behalf of county governments,
They also note what a fun workplace she created in her office, and what a fine cook she was.
Pest, 72, passed away Oct. 9 following an extended illness. She had served as county clerk for 17 years before retiring at the end of 2021.
"I was one of the first people she hired," said current Marshall County Clerk Connie Howard. "It was a fun office, and we always had a great time.
"And she was an excellent teacher. There was nothing you couldn't ask her that she couldn't make you understand."
Howard recalled she and other employees in the clerk's office were invited to an annual Christmas party at Pest's home. There were also frequent dinners in the office.
"It was just a fun place to work," she added.
Pest was considered among her colleagues as an expert on county government issues, and this led to her being a past president of the West Virginia Association of Counties.
"I was really blessed to work with Jan," said Jonathan Adler, executive director. "She was a real leader as far as county government goes and running elections. She always knew the latest in election security and saw that it was implemented.
"She helped county government overall, and was the best advocate for county government. She was an excellent lobbyist before the legislature."
Pest's signature issue as president of the West Virginia Association of Counties was to raise the pay for county officials. She laid the groundwork for legislation giving county workers a raise in 2022, according to Adler.
"She was a happy warrior," Adler said. "She was a great friend and supporter of county government. She loved West Virginia. She was my favorite person, and I'm so sad that she died."
Marshall County Administrator Betsy Frohnapfel worked in the courthouse with Pest for 26 years.
"Jan was a leader," Frohnapfel said. "She knew the roles and responsibilities of the clerk unlike any other clerk. She testified before the Legislature, and was very respected.
"She was a mentor for me, and she became a friend."
Pest knew those in county government "worked for the people of the county," she continued.
"She knew everything we do is for the betterment of our residents," Frohnapfel said. "She always had an open door policy, and everyone there was there to help.
"As we were expanding our (commission) office, it was the same thing I sought to instill in our employees. 'How can we help?' and "What can I do for you?'"
Frohnapfel added what she learned most from Pest was to get involved and be aware of state and local happenings.
"She taught me to know what's going on," she said. "If you don't, you will get blind-sided."
Long-time courthouse employee Sue Riffle said she and Pest were friends for 48 years. They knew each other from their children's events, but "really met" during a function at Ernie's Esquire in the early 1970s.
Both worked in the Marshall County courthouse, with Rifle being an employee in the prosecutor's office.
In 2004, Riffle's husband passed away. Pest suggested to her that she retire and come to work part-time for her office three times a week."
"Jan was close to being a gourmet cook," Riffle said. "She always brought in food for us to try when she tried a new recipe.
"I always felt like more of a friend than an employee ... I knew if I ever needed a pair of shoes, I could go to Jan's house and she had them. She was the kindest, most generous person I've ever known."
Riffle remembers when she was trying to quit smoking, Pest would come and sit with her in the evenings to keep her from lighting up when she felt the urge.
"She never complained. If she had a backache, she wouldn't complain," Riffle added. "I had her back, and she had mine. Always."