A well-known and respected Howard County employee is retiring next year, leaving behind her the legacy of a true professional, valuable resource and friend to all who knew her.
Sheila Tolliver, of Queenstown in the Eastern Shore, has been the administrator for the Howard County Council for almost 12 years and will retire officially in February.
“I’m going to miss the council,” she said. “I think the council members are all very good. I think it’s a great place to work, and to live, even though I don’t live here.”’
She said she’s looking forward to exploring other interests, such as traveling, perhaps teaching part time and, of course, spending time with her grandchildren.
Tolliver is married to Larry Tolliver and has two grown children and seven grandchildren.
Many residents know Tolliver for her work before she came to Howard, when she was an education adviser for former Gov. Harry Hughes for about 10 years and assistant vice chancellor with the University of Maryland system.
She was also a public high school English teacher in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s earlier in her career.
Howard council members praised Tolliver for being professional in all her duties, which consist of supervising the staff of the County Council and overseeing the legislative process.
“Sheila is the ultimate professional in a political world that is not always professional,” said Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson.
“I was always impressed with her ability to be cool, calm and neutral.”
Watson said she had great reservations about Tolliver leaving and she always made sure the council ran efficiently.
“She was universally respected by all who knew her,” she said.
Councilwoman Mary Kay Sigaty said Tolliver will be remembered for displaying a wise and calm demeanor when approaching matters.
“The thing I found most helpful as a new council member was her ability to listen and offer suggestions,” Sigaty said.
“She leaves me smarter. She really understood the nitty-gritty of local government.”
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