The San Diego County Assessor/ Recorder/County Clerk Office recently recognized Santee resident Judith Moreschell as its 2024 Volunteer of the Year. Moerschell has officiated more than 100 wedding since February 2023 since beginning as a volunteer at the ARCC Santee branch office, with one of the weddings for her grandson who is currently stationed in Georgia with the U.S. Navy. She was recognized by San Diego County ARCC Jordan Z. Marks at a San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting.
“I’m a relatively shy person who would prefer to avoid public speaking,” said Moerschell in a press release, who has lived in Santee with her husband for 50 years since 1974. “When they asked me about performing weddings, I told them no, I can’t do that. But then, I was thinking that you won’t know if you can’t do something unless you try it. So, I tried it, and now I simply love it. It’s an honor to be part of a joyous occasion, and it brings a lot of joy to me.”
Moreschell retired in June 2019 after a 33-year career as a librarian with the Santee Elementary School District, having served at Carlton Hills Elementary and Rio Secco Elementary. She volunteers for four-hour shifts on Mondays and Fridays.
“I love volunteering at the Assessor’s Office because the staff is so friendly,” Moerschell said. “Some people may not know a lot about our office, but nearly every county resident who owns property or rents is affected by what happens at the ARCC office. Plus, our office is responsible for the recording of all legal real estate documents, as well as registering business names and issuing marriage licenses, birth and death certificates.”
When she’s not saying, “Repeat after me,” Moerschell stays busy with paperwork and filing archives in the Ernest J. Dronenburg, Jr. Reading Room, named after the former County Assessor. Dronenburg served from 2010 to 2022 as County Assessor, including nearly 40 years as an elected official serving in public office in San Diego County.
The ARCC archives features official records dating back to the county’s formation in 1850.
“In her role as a volunteer performing marriage ceremonies, Judith demonstrates professionalism and care, ensuring that each ceremony is conducted with respect and attention to detail,” said Marks. “Outside of her volunteer duties, Judith’s efforts to boost morale within the office are commendable. She often shares homemade desserts and holiday treats, fostering a sense of camaraderie among our team members and creating a positive workplace environment. Judith’s warm and friendly demeanor has made her a beloved member of our team. Her consistent positivity and willingness to help wherever needed contribute to a harmonious work atmosphere. Judith’s performance as a volunteer reflects the dedication, professionalism and interpersonal skills that we highly value in our department.”
The ARCC office is responsible for issuing marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, as well as registering business names and recording all legal real estate documents. On average, the office sells nearly 25,000 marriage licenses, performs more than 11,000 weddings and issues more than 100,000 birth certificates annually.
