Dee Moschel, the only lifetime honorary member of the Kent Downtown Partnership (KDP), turned 90 years old last week.
Moschel was involved with the Kent Development Association for 10 years before it became the Kent Downtown Partnership, according to a press release from Barb Smith, executive director of the KDP.
The group met at the Coachman Cafe, where the Kent Senior Activity Center now sits. Moschel became an active member of the KDP.
When Linda Johnson, a former executive director of KDP, died, Moschel was instrumental in helping KDP until the board could hire a new director. Jacquie Alexander was hired and Moschel worked closely with her to put KDP on the straight and narrow, Smith said.
After Alexander retired, Smith became the executive director. Moschel continued to make herself available for any questions that Smith has, especially historical questions. Consequently, the transition, again, went smooth.
Today, Moschel is retired and living at Stafford Suites in Kent. On occasion, KDP members visit Moschel who is as sharp as a tack and a delight to hang with, Smith said.
Moschel arrived in Kent from Omaha, Neb., in 1962. She moved to town with her husband, who began his medical practice. Moschel worked as a nurse. They had three children. Sometime later, her husband died of a heart attack. Moschel lost her daughter Kathryn to cancer in 2013. She has a daughter, Beth and a son, Dan.
Moschel was known to the community for her work in human services. She served on Mayor Dan Kelleher’s Blue Ribbon Task Force in 1986 which created the recommendation for the city of Kent Human Services Committee. She served on the commission from 1986-1992 when it developed its policy and procedures.
She also helped create health services for low income people through community clinics, the precursor to the Health Pointe Clinics.
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