See obituary: Page A4

Joanne Ackerman is remembered as someone who “put the community first.”

Ackerman, who represented the Fifth Ward for 10 years on the township board of commissioners, died July 7.

Ackerman took the oath of office Jan. 6 after being re-elected in the November 2019 general election.

Unconfirmed word of Ackerman’s death circulated at the July 7 township zoning hearing board meeting at Eisenhower Station.

Board of Commissioners President Debra Brinton, speaking at the conclusion of the July 9 meeting, noted Ackerman’s passing.

“This is a great loss,” Brinton said, adding, “She was a very nice woman. She’s going to be missed by all of us.”

Other commissioners could be seen nodding in agreement on the computer screen via the Zoom online meeting format.

“I enjoyed working with her,” Brinton said. “When she first got ill she fought very hard. She was thinking what should she do. She wanted to keep on.”

“Knowing that she was working and serving the community until the very end, she’s definitely a fighter. I think we can learn from that,” Commissioner Alok Patnaik said. He was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Ackerman and will serve through Jan. 1, 2022.

Ackerman submitted her resignation May 11. It was accepted by a 4-0 vote at the May 14 commissioners’ meeting.

“She definitely put the community first,” Commissioner Heather Lipkin said.

After the meeting, Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich said in an email to The Press, “I was very saddened to hear of the passing of former commissioner Joanne Ackerman. She was a wonderful lady who had much passion for many things, including her community.

“I had the pleasure of knowing Joanne and working with her for 10 years during her tenure on the board. She will be greatly missed,” Bonaskiewich said.

On a personal note, this reporter will remember Ackerman greeting him as we walked across the parking lot to the front doors of the Salisbury Township Administration Building before a commissioners’ meeting.

“How’s Paul?” she would ask.

I am sad, Joanne.

I will remember you as a cheerful presence on the board of commissioners, at the ready with a quip, a smile and twinkling eyes; unafraid to express opinions; forthright with often insightful observations; quick to grill township officials; a fiscal conservative who frequently questioned township expenditures and perennially airing concerns about Green Acres Park.

And I will remember you as reminding me to make sure to put an item in the Salisbury Press.

I made sure, Joanne.