Therapist and Clergy and Congregation Care (CCC) director Cathleen Wille retired on Feb. 22 - 2/22, a meaningful date after her 22 years of service to Samaritan Counseling Center. Though she is moving on from Samaritan, the lives she has touched will remain forever changed.

Her 1,300 clients are not the only ones transformed; she has been touched by them as well. "The gift of sacred stories they share is the most meaningful thing about my work," she says.

A deeply compassionate woman, Wille knew Samaritan Counseling Center was where she wanted to work. She values the center's mission of healing mind, body, spirit and community, especially its unique focus on integrating psychotherapy with spirituality, rather than any specific faith. She reflects that every day her work offered something to be excited about, from deep healing to building meaningful relationships.

Wille, who previously taught high school biology for 11 years, has had many leadership roles at Samaritan. Her career included being a therapist, clinical director, counseling intern supervisor and founding director of the CCC program. Combining counseling, teaching and supervising with her spirituality, Wille has had a positive impact not only on her clients, but also on the community.

The Rev. Tom Willadsen, pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Oshkosh, saw Wille often over the years as she counseled clients at the Samaritan satellite office housed within his church. He captures the feeling of many in saying he will remember her as a woman who "served with distinction."