Butler County’s first female commissioner and longtime Republican Party member has died.
Joan Chew passed away earlier this week at her home in Butler. She was actively involved in local politics for a majority of her life, ranging from her time as county treasurer to eventually succeeding her husband Charlie as a county commissioner.
Fred Vero spent time with Chew as a BC3 trustee and worked together on numerous projects.
“She was a great person. Very civic minded, and always had Butler at the top of the list,” Vero said. “She was dedicated to Butler County Community College, to the City of Butler, and to Butler County.”
Vero, a Democrat, said his political differences with Chew never got in the way of getting something done.
“I know she was very Republican, but as a Democrat, her and I always worked wonderfully together,” Vero said.
Chew served as a county commissioner until June 2002, when she resigned to undergo cancer treatment. However, she remained actively involved in the community and would serve on boards at BC3.
No information was immediately available on funeral arrangements.
Chew was 91.
