– Photo by John Meiu
Bobbi Camacci (center) recently retired from her job as chief deputy register at Macomb County Probate Court, wrapping up a 30-year career there. Gathering on Camacci’s last day to wish her well were (from left) Heather Lawson, research attorney; Jessica Miller, MaryBeth Kehrig and Karen Folske, deputy registers; Donna Bennett, data maintenance; Mirela Halilovec, deputy register; Ardijana Ivezaj, typist clerk; Robert Szalka, director of legal services; Bonnie Duncan, Mona Jacob and Mallory Messing, deputy registers; Charles Semarjian and Debbie Lux-Roland, court attorneys; and Rosalyn Harnsberry, assistant chief deputy register.
By Melanie Deeds
Legal News
The size of the crowd that gathered the evening of Jan. 14 at Bath City Bistro was a bit overwhelming to Bobbi Camacci.
“I was so surprised and humbled,” said Camacci as she cleared out her desk the next day, filling boxes on the floor and on her desk with items that had accumulated during three decades of work at the court.
More than a hundred people packed the downtown Mt. Clemens restaurant to bid farewell to the retiring Macomb County Probate Court chief deputy register.
“It was wonderful,” she said. “I could hardly sleep when I got home.”
The turnout wasn’t surprising to those who know Camacci and came to rely upon her knowledge in probate matters.
She was a fixture for years at the probate court window, helping attorneys and members of the public alike with the various steps and forms needed to open an estate, file for guardianship, seek appointment of a guardian.
“Many of the people who come to see us are dealing with situations totally new to them —someone they love has died, someone needs a guardian.” Camacci said. “How would they ever know what they need to do.”
Often, she said, there’s more to it than just filling out the correct paperwork.
“What many of these people need is compassion, empathy,” Camacci said. “ We do our best in that regard.”
Technology prompted in many changes over the years and Camacci was instrumental in implementing new procedures and policies. As far as change goes, she witnessed quite a turnover among judges during her years at the court, counting at least nine new faces on the bench since she was first hired as Clerk I in 1986.
At that time, Camacci was working as an account executive with an area advertising firm. She wasn’t entirely happy in that position and was seeking something different. A friend referred her to the court, she liked it and stuck around, the last 15 years serving as chief deputy register.
Though she has left the Monday-through-Friday routine behind, Camacci plans to work part-time in independent probate and likely will be a regular visitor to the court.
She also plans to remain involved with the Macomb County Probate Bar Association and looks forward to attending seminars sponsored by the group to keep up with changes in probate matters.
“I’ve learned a lot but it’s important to me to keep up with things,” Camacci said.
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