Photo by Becky Polaski Many area residents know Kathy Reuscher from her extensive involvement in the community.

“Behind the Scenes”

By Becky Polaski

Staff Writer

Many area residents know Kathy Reuscher either from her job at Northwest Savings Bank or through her extensive involvement in the community.

The youngest daughter of Angeline and the late Samuel Galluch, Kathy was born and raised in Johnsonburg but has lived in St. Marys for close to 30 years. She also has two older sisters, Patty Burden and Delphine Gerber.

She married Michael R. Reuscher and together the couple has one son, Michael, who is currently attending Edinboro University majoring in Graphic Design.

Reuscher currently works at Northwest Savings Bank’s downtown St. Marys office as a Customer Service Representative I. She has been employed with Northwest Savings for almost 23 years.

“I love my job. I love working with my co-workers. They’re a great bunch of people. I love my customers. My customers are a lot of fun and I hope I service them well,” Reuscher said.

Reuscher is also a member of Sacred Heart Parish and is involved with many church activities.

“I have, in the past, done quite a bit with the church,” Reuscher said. “I used to help with the bingos when the kids would be in school. Bingos for all the Catholic schools or churches are a major fundraiser to help defray the cost of tuition. I did that for many years while my son was in elementary school.”

Reuscher is also involved with the community’s religious education program and is the Facilitator of the Confirmation Program.

“I work with Georgia Wagner on the Confirmation program, which is for the three Catholic churches combined. This last year we met at the Sacred Heart Activity Center, which worked out really well for us. We line up speakers to present to the students and the program runs on Sunday evenings. Hopefully all of the students get something out of the program. That will be starting up again in the fall. It usually runs throughout the school year and then Erie Bishop Donald Trautman will come down usually during Lent and do the Confirmation. That takes up a lot of my time.”

Additionally, she has also helped out with the annual Sacred Heart Parish Easter Egg Hunt for many years.

 While her son was in high school, Reuscher also served on the Elk County Catholic School Board, including spending two years as President. She also continues to be involved with the Mothers, Fathers, and Friends Association.

Reuscher is also passionate about the area high school bands.

“I love the Elk County Catholic High School Band and I love the St. Marys Area High School Band. This community is so blessed with wonderful talent in both their music industries and even their plays,” Reuscher said.

Because her son went to Elk County Catholic, she participated with the Music Boosters Program for several years, an experience that she noted was very fulfilling.

“I was Vice President of the Board and we did a lot of fundraising too to keep that program alive and well because without music you don’t have anything,” Reuscher said.

She also noted that she participated in band while attending Johnsonburg Area High School.

Currently, Reuscher is also actively involved in many programs at Northwest Savings Bank. She explained that the bank recently teamed up with the St. Marys Chamber of Commerce to raise money for the city’s annual fireworks display.