Although she no longer lives in Cass County, Marjorie Federowski’s legacy continues to be felt by its residents.

Federowski, who currently resides in Virginia, served on the county’s historical commission for 41 years, serving as the organization’s first secretary when it was created in 1973. It was due to her recommendation in 1976 that the Cass County Board of Commissioners applied for grant money to construct the county’s library on M-62, which still stands to this day.

Nearly 40 years later, the board formally recognized Federowski’s invaluable help with the project, passing a resolution last week that thanked her for years of service to the community.

Receiving the honor and plaque commemorating her achievements in her absence was current historical commission chair C. Abigail Schten, who read a statement that Federowski had prepared in advance.

“Thank you for this recognition of service to the county of Cass here in Michigan,” Schten read. “Although I no longer live here, it is an honor that is appreciated.”

Federowski has been honored for work with the county in years past. In 1987, the commissioners gave her a certificate for “outstanding and grateful service to the citizens of Cass County.” In 1992, the commissioners again recognized her for her years of service as director of the county library.

In addition to her work with the library and historical commission, Federowski had served as a member of the board of commissioners for two terms, and worked with the social services board and transportation authority. Outside of her duties in the public sector, Federowski operated Federowski, Inc., a fuel delivery service to farmers, for 33 years in Vandalia. She also was one of the founding governors and first treasurer of the Barn Swallow Theatre.

“It has been a tradition of the past five generations of the Silver family, since 1830, to serve Cass County,” Schten continued. “I’d like to close this statement with a challenge to you here, honoring me today: Do something with your life, each and every day, to make Cass County a better place.”

Other business passed by the board last week included:

• A resolution designating April 30, 2014, as “Sons of the American Revolution Day,” honoring the national society in Cass County.

• A resolution approving a $200,010 grant to the Cass County Family Court for its juvenile justice programs.

• A resolution designating Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Edwardsburg, Marcellus and Vandalia as target communities for housing grant money from the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority.

• A resolution for the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office to enter into a contract with the City of Dowagiac to take over prosecution of portions of the city’s ordinance work, generating an estimated $23,542 a year.