Judy Moon has been a fixture in the Carbon County courthouse for nearly four decades.

She has served under six judges, seen court offices expand into what they are today and has been a guiding light for many during her time as the register of wills and clerk of orphans court.But after 22 years as the head of her office, Moon has decided that it is time to move on to the next chapter of her life at the end of her term on Dec. 31."I met some really great people from across the state," she said of her time in office. "It's been a great experience, I met some really good, interesting people. I could never ever say I regretted this job because I didn't. I always enjoyed it."Beginning her journeyMoon began her career with Carbon County as a clerk in the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court office under Geza Holczmanin September 1981.She advanced to first deputy in 1985 and worked closely with Margaret O'Donnell, who succeeded Holczman after his retirement."Margie passed away while in office in November 1994 and I was named acting register of wills," she said, adding that in 1995, she ran to fill O'Donnell's remaining term.In 1996, she was elected to the position and has been re-elected to the office five additional times.Since then, she has overseen countless actions in her office, including the collection of 10s of millions in inheritance taxes; thousands of marriage licenses, parental terminations and adoptions; and started a number of initiatives to help preserve some historical elements of Carbon County.'The Traveling Register of Wills'"A lot of things have been done in the office," Moon said.Most notably she established the "Traveling Register of Wills.""I instituted it so if clients and attorneys needed me, I would go to them," she said.She traveled during normal working hours, evenings and weekends to accommodate them throughout the county, as well as at Weatherwood, Weatherly, to administer oaths for executors and administrators.Moon also spearheaded preservation projects to restore the wills of Carbon County elites Mary Packer Cummings, Harry Packer and Milton Dimmick; and worked to scan and microfilm millions of estate records for over 150 years and store the originals in an underground, climate-controlled storage facility for protection from the elements.During that time, Moon also took courses to become a certified paralegal, served as president of Pennsylvania's Association of the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court for the 2007-2008 term, was a member of the Pennsylvania State Association of Elected Officials and has continually worked to improve daily operations.In addition to her county position, Moon has also been an active member of her community.She is a member of the Carbon County Democratic Executive Board, various democratic clubs throughout the county, the Nesquehoning Woman's Club, the Nesquehoning VFW Auxiliary, and Zion Lutheran Church of Nesquehoning.The chapter closesThe native of White Haven, who has resides in Nesquehoning for nearly 30 years, said that she plans to enjoy the upcoming retirement and check a few things off her bucket list."I want to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge," she said, noting that she has been there a few times, but never walked across it. "I also love traveling and my next trip hopefully is to Europe."Moon will also travel with her daughter, who is involved with horses, when she transports the animals.Moon has two children, a son, David, and a daughter, Nicole; and five grandchildren.Moving forwardMoon said that one thing she will miss after she retires at the end of the year is the court work."I really, really enjoyed the court work," she said. "I met so many interesting people over the years, worked with all the judges from Judge Lavelle all the way down. They all have been very willing to share their intelligence. I admire them (the judges) and I really learned so much from each of them individually."She also said the Carbon County Bar members and the women in her office made her job as enjoyable as it has been.She provided some words of wisdom to whoever wins the nomination for her position in the May primary election must find a balance between the office and working with the courts."Work with the judges. Work with the attorneys and wear your job well," Moon said. "I would wish whoever wins the nomination in the primary and then the general election respects the job and learns it well because it is a job where you deal with the public every day."