When Marilyn Lichtenberg was in tenth grade, she noticed a poem hanging on a wall in school. It struck a chord in the teenager and she has carried it ever since. “There’s pleasure in a well done job, a very special kind, that brings to those that labor hard a tender peace of mind. It matters not how difficult the task at hand may be, accomplishment fills tired hearts with faith and hope and glee. And so it is I say, There’s pleasure in a well done job that far exceeds the pay!” Title and author unknown. Words to live by, and the satisfaction that Lichtenberg has gained through her years of volunteer work in West Milford give testament to the wisdom of the poem. Lichtenberg, was born in Englewood. Due to health issues and employment opportunities, her family moved 13 times within New Jersey by the time she was a teenager. In 1962 they moved to West Milford and Lichtenberg set down deep roots. She graduated in 1966 from West Milford High School and went to work in town hall in the tax collector’s office. Demonstrating a knack for bookkeeping, she moved to the treasurer’s office and, by age 23, she was the acting township treasurer. When she married Bob Dorfman, a construction corporation owner, she became his bookkeeper and obtained her realtor’s license, selling homes for her husband. Widowed early in life, she remarried 18 years ago. She has a daughter, Colleen, age 36, and a son, Thomas, age 33. After her second marriage, to Thomas Lichtenberg, the couple became the proud parents of Michael, now age 17. Pregnant at 44, Lichtenberg said that her later-in-life pregnancy was the easiest of the three. All of her children were born in April and now she looks forward to becoming a grandmother for the first time - in April. “We are truly, truly blessed,” she said. Through the years Lichtenberg has devoted much time and energy to the township. Active in many sports programs, she led West Milford’s National Youth Sports Coaches Association and originated a girl’s basketball league. Currently she is involved with the Rotary and Junior Rotary Clubs, CASA, the Interact Club, the Heritage Committee, senior citizen programs and community events of all kinds. After being prompted by residents to run for the township council, and with some trepidation, she ran and won the seat. When the 2010 primary comes around Lichtenberg will be on the ticket again. “I am really my own person. I vote and decide things with my heart and with good reason,” she said. She is pleased with her successes, before and after becoming a councilwoman. She was instrumental in getting the house numbering ordinance passed as well as the ordinance that limits serving water to restaurant patrons only upon request and eliminating smoking on the beach at Bubbling Springs Park. Her goals for the township, as it struggles through difficult economic times, are to gain more services for the residents and she hopes to see some zoning changes come into effect. She is well aware of the hardships some residents face, especially senior citizens. “We have the highest county taxes in the nation,” she said. Although employed as a real estate sales agent for Century 21 Visions Realty, Lichtenberg makes herself available on Thursday mornings in town hall, ready to speak with residents who have concerns. Lichtenberg is often recognizable by her variety of hats. Turns out there’s a good reason for the chapeaus. “I actually have no talent for taking care of my hair,” she said. Always on the go, she has no time for beauty salons, recreational activities or hobbies, yet her inner peace shines through. She is living her favorite poem. Cooking, too, is on the back burner for now, with fast food filling in when necessary. She sent a quick and easy recipe. Would you like to be featured in an upcomig In The Kitchen? E-mail us at nyoffice@strausnews.com. Chocolate Lady Finger Cream Cake 2 pkgs. Lady Fingers (two dozen) Large box (four packets) of chocolate pudding mix 1 container heavy cream Make pudding as per box directions, cool in refrigerator Separate the Lady Fingers and arrange 12 half Lady Fingers in two adjoining rows on a flat pan Spread pudding on Lady Fingers Top pudding with remaining 12 Lady Fingers Place another layer of pudding on top Whip cream and spread on top and sides Optional: Add strawberries, walnuts or bananas on top of cream