Mendon Remembers Former Town Supervisor Jeanne A. Loberg

Jeanne Loberg served eight years as Mendon Town Supervisor. Photo provided by Janine and Eric Loberg from a family photo album

BY COREY GATES
Former resident and past Town Supervisor, Jeanne Loberg, passed away on April 18, 2023 at the age of 84. Many of us who knew Jeanne would agree she made a huge contribution to the Town of Mendon during her 30 years as a resident. Jeanne was a visionary and driving force within the Town, and many of her ideals have survived scrutiny and the test of time, to mold and define Mendon into what exists today.

Jeanne Angelone Loberg, was born on April 1, 1939 in Rochester, New York and attended Nazareth Academy High School. After graduation, Jeanne went on to earn an associates degree from Nazareth College, starting her professional career at Eastman Kodak in 1959. It was at Kodak where she met her husband, Peter Loberg, who predeceased Jeanne in 2013. In 1975, shortly after the birth of her second child, Jeanne left Kodak to raise her two children, Janine and Eric.

In 1977, Jeanne and Pete moved their family to a newly constructed home in the Bridlewood Trail subdivision on the Eastern border of Mendon Ponds Park. Jeanne loved nature and was an avid gardener, bird watcher, and all-around outdoor enthusiast. Enamored with the beauty and rural character of her surroundings, Jeanne realized a calling to help protect this beauty and guide her community in smart growth practices amidst the pressures from surrounding towns to promote development.

“I recall many good times working with Jeanne. She helped to pioneer many ideas such as the creation of the Mendon Foundation and multiple other projects, but always enjoyed her tenacity as a local leader. Jeanne proved a worthy representative of the people and always strived to do what she felt was in the best interest of the Town,” said Bill Fletcher via a phone interview.

Jeanne joined the Mendon Conservation Board in 1986, which began her almost 20 years of service to the Town and its residents. During her tenure on the Conservation Board, Jeanne quickly learned the workings of town government and began to lay the ground work for the many ordinances that help to preserve the Town’s rural character to this day. After serving on the Conservation Board, Jeanne gladly accepted an appointment to the Planning Board, which she chaired until 1995. Alongside many other residents and Board members, Jeanne initiated research and development of such documents as the Town of Mendon Open Space Index, The Hamlet Master Plan, and the 2005 Town Comprehensive Plan. Jeanne also helped implement many fact finding and advisory committees, such as the Farmland Advisory Committee, Utilities Advisory Committee and Open Space Index which resulted in the creation of the FAD (Factors Affecting Development) ordinance.

Jeanne had many more accomplishments to note and was elected to Town Supervisor in 1996, a position she held until 2004. Jeanne forged many relationships, both personal and political, which helped to promote the Town’s success in balancing growth and conservation. Jeanne’s dedication to her community has contributed greatly to help Mendon become one of Rochester’s most affluent and conservation minded communities.
“I enjoyed my time with Jeanne serving on the Town Board, and as her Deputy Supervisor. Many great accomplishments can be attributed under her administration, she will no doubt be remembered for her mental toughness and dedication to the cause,” said Marvin Vahue.

Two others who worked closely with Jeanne offered these memories.

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jeanne Loberg. I served on the Town Board under Jeanne for 8 years and she was a delight to work with. Jeanne was a champion for the Town of Mendon, and her eager enthusiasm was contagious, and we have all benefitted from the many improvements that her leadership brought to the Town. There was never a time that she was too busy to discuss an upcoming agenda and provide background and details needed to vote wisely on any issue. I am grateful for the time I worked with Jeanne and I shall miss her dearly. Rest in Peace my friend,” Pat Freeman said.

“I was saddened to hear of Jeanne Loberg’s passing. I worked closely with Jeanne during her tenure at the Town of Mendon, particularly her eight years as Town Supervisor. I was young and inexperienced when we were both first elected, and I quickly gained some much-needed maturity working with Supervisor Loberg. She had an efficiency and dedication to process that drove her forward, and rarely did anything stand in her way. Away from the office, she was a gracious host who was not afraid to burst into laughter. I will always appreciate and value the lessons I learned from Jeanne,” former Town Clerk James Merzke said.

As I reflect upon my 45+ year relationship with Jeanne and the Loberg family, I would like to say thanks for all the encouragement, support and mentoring that shaped me as a young man. I will always be grateful for the life lessons Jeanne instilled, and that a strong commitment to volunteering, being a contributor and supporting your community is not only good, it’s what America was built on.