Pat Bulger, who spent most of her nearly 42 years in education serving the nutritional needs of children of Shelby County, died Aug. 19 at the age of 67.

Bulger taught English for about eight years in the Shelby County School System. But she is probably most remembered for coordinating the county schools’ nutrition program for some 25 years.

Shelby County School Superintendent Evan Major, who knew Bulger well, recalled that she established &uot;one of the very best (nutrition) programs in the state of Alabama.&uot;

He said the program she set up &uot;was recognized and is

recognized.&uot;

&uot;Mrs. Bulger and I were professional colleagues since 1966 &045; since I first met her,&uot; said Major. &uot;She and I became very good, close friends. Our families grew up together.&uot;

Major also recalled that Bulger’s younger children, Doug and Mary Elizabeth, were close to his children, Fred and Melonie.

&uot;Pat was the kind of person that whoever was in need, she was often the first person

to be there … a very giving, kind person.

&uot;She was a very ‘take charge’ person whether at CNP (the Child Nutrition Program) or in the neighborhood.

&uot;She was your best critic and supporter. We’re going to miss her. We lost a good friend.&uot;

Major recalled that Bulger taught school in Shelby County in the early to mid 1960s. He said she taught English at Shelby County High School, and her husband, Don, was the football coach.

The Bulgers moved to Gadsden and returned in the ’70s, he said. At that time, she was lunchroom supervisor of attendance, and Don was principal at SCHS.

Major said Bulger served under five school superintendents from Elvin Hill until he took the post.

Bulger served the Shelby County schools for about 33 years all together. She

taught English and social studies in 1957-58 and 1959-60. She taught junior high English from 1960-66, and she served as

lunchroom supervisor of attendance from 1974-79.

Bulger became Child Nutrition Program director from 1979-81 and became Child Nutrition Program coordinator from 1981-82. From 1982-91 she served as coordinator of pupil personnel. And from 1991 until her retirement on Sept. 1, 1998, she again served as coordinator of the Child Nutrition Program.

Services for Bulger were held Aug. 22 at the First Baptist Church of Columbiana with burial in the City Cemetery