SAFFORD — After voting in new board members and the slate of officers, the Graham County Historical Society presented local businesswoman and philanthropist Marge Schade with the organization’s Heritage Award.
“The Gila Valley has just been wonderful. I love living here and I like to try to see things grow,” Schade said.
The award was presented during the Historical Society’s annual meeting and symposium at the ranch house on Eastern Arizona College’s Discovery Park campus Saturday.
Schade, 98, has supported numerous programs and groups since moving to Graham County in 1964, including helping form the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila Valley and Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry; as well as supporting the Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition, GFWC Safford Woman’s Club, SEACUS, the Gila Valley Arts Council and the Hospital Auxiliary.
She also helped locate the Safford City-Graham County Library in its current location during her service on the Safford City Council.
“When you get to my age, you have a tremendous amount of memories of all the people that have helped make your life . . . so joyful. It has been a great journey; I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Schade said. “I never had any ambition to live to be 100, but . . . if God wants to give me two more years, I’ll do my best and hope I can do some other things in Safford.”
Following the presentation, two Historical Society members gave presentations — Hal Herbert discussed a history of Roads in Graham County, and David Sowders presented five tales of early Graham County.
For more information about Graham County Historical Society, go to Facebook.com/GCAZHS.
