Preserving the Past is our Gift to the Future
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Susan Lynch, Chair/Treasurer
Ron Perez, Vice-Chair
Sandy Hefferon, Secretary
Mark Lynch, Director of Construction
Patricia Decker, Grants Administrator
Susan Lynch, Chair / Treasurer
Sue is a Founding Member of FOWH. She worked for Passaic County Board of Social Services for over 42 years before retiring in 2020. In addition to her work with The Friends of Wallisch Homestead, her community service efforts include being a Member of Passaic County Juvenile Conference Committee, and Member and Deacon at Echo Lake Baptist Church. Sue holds a BS in Criminology from William Paterson University.
2005-2018 Leadership Board at Echo Lake Baptist Church
2008-Present: Passaic County Juvenile Conference Committee Member
2013 Founding member of Friends of Wallisch Homestead (FOWH)
2014 Vice President
2018 FOWH Treasurer
2019 FOWH Board Member
2021 FOWH Chair and Treasurer
Ron Perez, Vice Chairman
Ron is a retired Project Engineer with extensive experience in Site Development and Construction Management in process plants, pharmaceutical, nuclear power and consumer product industries. He volunteered for New Jersey Special Olympics Winter games for several years at Mountain Creek, Vernon NJ and Mennen Arena, Morristown, NJ. He also volunteered at St. Luke Church, Morristown NJ in the Caring Ministries Program, preparing and serving meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ron was a member of the West Milford Men’s Softball League for 30 years serving as Treasurer, Vice President and President. He partnered the League with the township in promoting and participating in West Milford’s Pride Day. He joined the Friends of Wallisch Homestead to restore and preserve the Wallisch Homestead for our community. Ron has been a West Milford resident since 1970 and was a neighbor and friend of Louis Wallisch.
Sandy Hefferon, Secretary
Sandy is currently a teacher at Macopin Middle School. She previously taught 6th grade at Marshall Hill School for over 20 years. She holds a BA degree in Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Master’s degree from Mary Grove College. She was awarded both Teacher of Year at Marshall Hill School and the NJ Governor’s Teacher Award.
She was a founding member of the West Milford Creative playground in 1991, and has served as a Girl Scout Brownie leader. Sandy has volunteered as an active member of the Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC) of Passaic County since 2008. She is a long-time member of the Daughters of Penelope with St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church. She is a founding board member of The Friends of Wallisch Homestead since 2013 in the role of Secretary for the organization. Sandy has lived in West Milford for over 36 years with her husband John where they have raised their 3 children. In her spare time Sandy enjoys reading, gardening and hiking.
Mark Lynch, Director of Construction
Mark is a lifetime resident of West Milford, and local business owner of M Lynch Landscaping for over 40 years. Mark has extensive experience with local volunteer organizations and was named West Milford Township Volunteer of the Year 2007. Mark has been a regular member of FOWH since its founding.
1978-Present Owner-Operator of M. Lynch Landscaping Inc.
2005-2016 Trustee Board Echo Lake Baptist Church
2016-2018 Leadership Board at Echo Lake Baptist Church
2018-Board member, Director of Landscaping FOWH
2021-Present Board member Construction Manager FOWH
West Milford Parks and Recreation Board
West Milford Fields Committee
West Milford PAL Executive Board
West Milford Recreation Girls Soccer and Girls Travelling Soccer Coach
Former member West Milford Elks Lodge #2236
Patricia Decker, Grants Administrator
Pat is a lifelong resident of West Milford. She holds a BFA in Fine Art and Design from William Paterson University, an MA in Counseling, Human Development and Educational Leadership from Montclair State University, and a Post-Masters Certification in Art Therapy from the College of New Rochelle. Her work experience includes over 25 years in the commercial marine insurance and reinsurance sectors as an underwriter, analyst and coordinator of operations. She was awarded the 2004 Swiss Re President’s Award for her work during a major reorganization of the Special Lines unit. Subsequently, she retrained as a NJ licensed professional counselor and board-certified art therapist on Valley Home Care palliative care team providing support for children and families living with medical challenges, loss and bereavement. Recipient of 2012 Valley Legend Award and the 2013 NJHPCO Hospice Team Award-Art Therapist of the Year. Held a grant-funded position at St. Joseph’s Children’s hospital serving acute care and trauma cases, and providing staff support. Pat and her husband Russ have two daughters and two grandsons. She enjoys nature, history, art and music.
