BOARDMAN — Joyce Kale-Pesta, an iconic figure in Mahoning County elections and Democratic politics, has died, leaving behind a memorable legacy.

Kale-Pesta, 76, died Thursday at her Boardman home.

Kale-Pesta spent 33 years working for the county board of elections as a director, deputy director and clerk. After her retirement in November 2021, Kale-Pesta was appointed to serve as a board of elections member, holding that position until her death.

Kale-Pesta was also the county Democratic Party’s vice chairwoman, the state Democratic Party central committeewoman representing the 33rd District and secretary of the Ohio Association of Election Officials at the time of her death.

She served as the county Democratic Party’s chairwoman from May 2019 to June 2022, the only woman to lead the local party.

“It’s hard to imagine Mahoning County politics without Joyce, no matter your politics,” said Chris Anderson, Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman. “She gave her entire life to the board of elections. The whole party is in mourning.”

Mahoning County Republican Party Chairman Tom McCabe, who worked 27 years with Kale-Pesta at the elections board, said, “She was a great partner. We got along great. She loved elections. She was a trailblazer.”

Kale-Pesta started working for the board of elections as a clerk in December 1988. She was promoted to deputy director in 2005 and served as the board’s director from 2012 until her retirement in November 2021. Kale-Pesta was quickly appointed as a board member after her retirement and continued to serve in that capacity.

“We lost a giant in our party and a giant in Mahoning County politics in general,” Anderson said. “She spent her life expanding access to people’s right to vote. We owe her a debt of gratitude. She protected your right to vote. We have giant shoes to fill. Our thoughts are with her husband, Tom, her family and the entire board of elections. They were like family to her. It’s tough to imagine a world without her.”

Elections board Chairman David Betras said of Kale-Pesta: “It’s like losing a family member. That’s how close we were. She was iconic when it comes to Mahoning County politics and voting. I’m devastated. It’s a void that I don’t think can be filled by anyone.”

When Betras resigned as Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman in May 2019, Kale-Pesta, who was vice chairwoman, was elected to run the party. She served until June 2022, when she opted to run for vice chairwoman, with Anderson being elected chairman.

McCabe, a 27-year elections board employee, served as deputy director with Kale-Pesta as director during her nine years in that post. For some of that time, they were the leaders of their respective county political parties. When Kale-Pesta retired, McCabe was named elections board director.

“We became close friends outside of this place despite our political differences,” McCabe said. “She loved elections and she loved politics. First and foremost, was the love of her family. She was a dedicated civil servant. She was a very unique and special individual. I’ve been getting calls from all over the state about her. That’s the impact she had on people.”

Youngstown Councilman Mike Ray, D-4th Ward, the state Democratic Party central committeeman representing the 33rd District, said Kale-Pesta’s knowledge of elections was second to none.

“It’s a huge loss to the party and the board of elections,” he said. “She had so much institutional knowledge. She was always there to help with your campaign.”