The late Mary M. Kunkel of Jim Thorpe had a passion for helping children.

Throughout a 38-year career in the field of child support, the former director of the Carbon County Domestic Relations Department left her mark not only on Carbon County, but on many of her colleagues across the state.This was evidenced earlier this month when the Domestic Relations Association of Pennsylvaniaheld its 49th Annual Training Conference in Lancaster County, dedicating the week "in loving memory" of Kunkel, who was a board member and longtime association participant before losing a lengthy battle to cancer on April 8 of this year.In addition to the conference program designed with Kunkel's photo on it, in color, the former Carbon director was memorialized by establishment of the Mary Kunkel Award of Excellence, an award that will be presented every year in her memory.The award is intended for domestic relations staff members throughout the state who have demonstrated a commitment to the PA Child Support Program beyond the scope of their normal duties.The award was presented at a dinner on Sept. 14.That was the Mary Kunkel those in Carbon County and around the commonwealth grew to know."This conference is bittersweet without my friend Mary Kunkel from Carbon County," said Andrea Dodasovich of Washington County, chairwoman of the 2016 conference."I met Mary through DRAP - she always helped with the conference and was truly an amazing person. In addition to learning valuable information, the DRAP conference provides a unique chance to meet people and forge friendships. This conference is dedicated to Mary. In her honor, I hope you reach out and introduce yourself to someone new."The head of Carbon County's Domestic relations office since 2002, Kunkel was recognized as a leader in her profession before her passing. In fact, at the 2015 DRAP conference held in Erie, she was honored with the most prestigious Robert S. Stewart Award, an annual presentation that goes to a recipient who exemplifies the ideals established by Stewart in the pursuit of collecting support for children in Pennsylvania. Stewart served as the state's first Title IV-D director and paved the way on how the state collects child support.At the time, Kunkel said, "When I got the call, I was truly surprised and humbled that my peers would think this much of me and the work I've done over the last 28 years here in Carbon. It's quite an honor."Carbon County Commissioner William O'Gurek, who reported on Kunkel's achievements, said then, "I'm very proud of Mary. There is nothing better than when you are selected by your peers to accept such a prestigious award. It's a great honor and she put Carbon County in a good light. I want to thank her for the work she is doing in helping children who need the protection and finances."Five months after her passing, colleagues in the domestic relations profession are still remembering the work of Kunkel, as well as the friendly personality she exuded."It was wonderful," said her husband, Earl II, who with 14 family members, including his sons, Earl III and his wife, Julie, and William and his fiancee, Sarah Hill, attended the awards program during which time Keith Calhous, Allegheny County; Amy Machinski, Erie County; and Robert Abrams, Washington County, were named recipients of the award named in Kunkel's memory. The association makes the presentations in three classes of counties."I never knew that Mary touched so many lives," Earl II said. "When we went there, the people were so kind. They were great, unbelievable. It was quite a tribute to Mary."