CANTON —St. Lawrence County Clerk Mary Lou Rupp was honored Monday with the New York State Senate Commendation Award for her public service in St. Lawrence County and her efforts to encourage people to take charge of and protect their own health.

Currently facing cancer, in recent months Mary Lou has shared her personal health story in an effort to encourage people to pursue additional medical testing after receiving screening results that indicate the possibility of health problems.

Senator Ritchie was serving as the St. Lawrence County clerk in 2003 when she hired Mary Lou to join her office. After Ritchie was elected to the Senate in 2010, Rupp successfully ran for the St. Lawrence County clerk position in 2011.

“Mary Lou is the first person I think of when I hear the words public service. She has dedicated her life to helping people of St. Lawrence County. Having worked closely with her, I have seen how hard she works in the county clerk’s office and how much of her time and effort she puts into various programs and events that help improve the quality of life for so many in our community,” Ritchie said.

“I commend Mary Lou for sharing her personal story and I believe it will have a tremendous impact on everyone in our community. I am so proud to call Mary Lou a friend and I am humbled to be able to present her with this recognition.”

Throughout her time in the St. Lawrence County Clerk’s Office, Rupp has not only stressed the importance of providing quality customer service, but has also worked hard to bring its technology up to date.

To help those in her community, Rupp created a county Veterans’ ID, which provides valuable discounts from participating local businesses to men and women who served in our military. She is a proud advocate for lifesaving organ donation and ensures her office and staff are fixtures at community events such as the Ogdensburg Boys & Girls Club Expo, Senator Ritchie’s Senior Health and Wellness Fairs and “Lights on the River.”

Prior to her public service, Rupp and her husband Bill owned and operated several successful restaurants, including a number of Jreck Subs locations and Simply Sandwiches in Ogdensburg. The couple are the proud parents of two daughters, Abbie and Kelsie, and have two grandchildren.

The New York State Senate Commendation Award recognizes exceptional people who have made a lasting contribution to their community. Award recipients devote their personal time, energy, creativity and expertise to others. They also are leaders in their community who enrich the social, health and educational well-being of their fellow citizens.