It was early in Richard Nixon’s first term when Margaret Kennedy was first asked to run for tax collector.

“My mother-in-law lived very close to us,” Margaret recalled this week. “She was a Democratic committeewoman in Union Township. She said, ‘We need to fill the ballot and need someone to run for tax collector.’”

Margaret said she’d have to check with her husband. They were building a house and had two young children. The answer was a firm no.

Four years later, she was asked again.

“I thought he was going to say no, but he said, ‘Yes, go for it,’” Margaret said. “I was surprised.”

She got on the spring 1973 primary ballot and was elected that fall.

“I went door to door because I was running against the incumbent,” she said. “People would say, ‘You must really want this job,’ because I was five months pregnant. I won by 16 votes. If I didn’t put myself out there, I wouldn’t have won.”

Her term began Jan. 1, 1974. It wouldn’t be her last. Kennedy was reelected a dozen times over 48 years, most recently in 2021.

Margaret, 81, will retire when her term expires at the end of December. She believes her 51-year tenure is the longest of any municipal tax collector in Berks County.

Her career began before the personal computer era, and she marvels at how she worked in the analog age.

“I had to type the invoices — name, address, amount,” she said. “All the information. And then type the envelopes. “

She stuffed and mailed the envelopes—numbering more than 1,500—within 30 days.

“I don’t even know how I did it. I had a baby plus two other young children.”

There was no formal training. She contacted the president of the Pennsylvania State Tax Collectors’ Association, who steered her to resources. She later joined both the state and county associations.

Like many municipal tax collectors in Pennsylvania, she did the part-time job from home, while also working for years as a licensed practical nurse and phlebotomist.

“Jokingly, I would say, I can either take your blood or your money,” she said.

Union Township collects only real estate taxes, and many homeowners pay through their mortgage companies. But some still prefer to hand their payments directly to the tax collector.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, she met residents at the end of her driveway along Geigertown Road.

“I wore a mask and gloves, went to the car, took the payment, processed it and brought it back,” she said.

Margaret considered running again but realized she would be 85 when the term ended.

“I’m gonna miss it. I like the people I serve,” she said, noting strong relationships with township staff over the years.

Erika Pauley, unopposed in November, will succeed her.

“The township found someone capable and willing to run,” Margaret said. “That makes me feel good.”