Patty Schreck of Savannah has been selected as the 2001 Coastal Georgia Older Worker of the Year. Sponsored annually by the Georgia Older Worker Network, the contest selects an outstanding older worker from each of the 12 aging regions throughout Georgia and honors them for their outstanding contributions to the workforce.

"For 13 years, the Network has honored older workers for their contributions to the workforce and their communities. Patty is an outstanding example of the experience and dedication that a senior brings to the workforce. She has a great chance of being named the state winner at our Awards Luncheon in August," said Billy Wooten, director of Green Thumb Inc. and local representative of the Older Worker Network.

Schreck, along with 11 other older workers from throughout the state, will be honored at the Older Worker Network's 13th Annual Awards Luncheon at Sea Palms, St. Simons Island, on August 22.

Schreck, 72, is the musical director and organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, a position she has held for the past 55 years. She has directed numerous choirs and was the principal organist at both the 100th anniversary of the Cathedral's dedication in 1950 and again at its 150th rededication in 2000.

For the 150th rededication, she led the musical portion of the ceremony in the presence of two American cardinals and 35 archbishops, bishops and abbotts.

She also recruited statewide and rehearsed a 90-voice choir, as well as a 15-instrument chamber orchestra, for three months prior to the rededication. In addition, Schreck planned and managed the five-day sacred music festival.

As a result of these efforts, she was awarded the Bishop Gartland Medal, the highest honor given in the Catholic Diocese of Savannah. Other honors include the prestigious Papal Medal, "Pro Ecclesiae et Pontifice," which translates "for the Church and the Pope." That she was awarded in 1981. The same year she was presented with a key to the City of Savannah and had the day named in her honor.