LONGTIME CITY VOLUNTEER WORKER PATTY MULKEY HONORED

A little piece of Cape Girardeau's history is leaving, and several people got together Friday night to say goodbye.

More than 40 well-wishers gathered in the home of Charles and Adele Kupchella to honor Patty Mulkey for her work in the Cape Girardeau community.

"I may have given a little to Cape Girardeau, but Cape Girardeau gave me a new life," said Mulkey, who was expecting pre-dinner cocktails rather than a surprise farewell party. "I will never forget my Cape Girardeau friends."

Mulkey is leaving after 22 years to live in Alabama. She is a former teacher in several rural schools and local towns, including Jackson.

She has donated countless volunteer hours to several community businesses, projects and organizations, including the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Cape Girardeau Historical Association and Glenn House.

She was also a member of the BiCentenniel Committee in 1976, and helped to write Cape Girardeau's Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Mulkey has given time, money and other donations to Southeast Missouri State University. Her name appears on the Mulkey-White Scholarship, which is given to history students at the university.

"I love that school and I'm going to miss the university very much," said Mulkey.

City Councilman Don Neumeyer presented a proclamation from Mayor Al Spradling III naming the day Patty Mulkey Day in honor of four decades of energetic work "for the heritage of Cape Girardeau".

Many say Mulkey is a well-known and hard-working member of the community. "She's very concerned about Cape Girardeau in general," said Adele Kupchella, the hostess for the party. "Half of the things she does, she does single-handedly.

"She gets things done when nobody else can do it."

Mulkey has been getting things done in Cape Girardeau for many years. One of her biggest on-going projects has been helping to create and maintain the Cape River Heritage Museum, which was founded in 1976. The museum, now at 538 Independence, depicts various aspects of regional history and culture.

"I'd say Patty is the museum," said Sunny Staples, president of the museum's board of directors.

Mulkey has served as both president and director of the museum's board of directors. In addition, she has been a member of the Sidewheelers, a volunteer group associated with the museum.

"She's kind of held it together through some difficult times," said Beverly Hahs, a board member.

Mulkey said she believes she will enjoy her life in Alabama, but there will never be another Cape Girardeau for her.