Service in mind

By MAUREEN MCGUINNESS- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Deborah Damm O'Brien has been serving the community in different ways throughout her career. Recently appointed executive director of De Paul Housing Management, she had been an attorney with the state for 21 years.

"I went into state government because I believe in public service," she said, "but it was time to do something else with my life."

Working for the Diocese has been a positive experience. "I've been able to integrate my faith and professional life," she said. She has been active in St. Paul the Apostle Church in Schenectady and president of the diocesan School Board, so giving of her time to the Church has been a way of life.

"I grew up in an environment where service was important," she said. "It started with my family. The Church and the faith were very important. My mother was very involved, and I watched that example of giving back. My father was a physician who gave 100 or 200 percent. Then I went to St. Helen's School and Notre Dame High School where there was a wonderful example of service. My husband Paul [a teacher at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons] lives a life of service. I never saw that there was any other way."

Leaving her job at the state to come work for the Church has been a financial sacrifice, but she said of her new job, "I think it's something I can feel real good about." (MM)

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