East Hampton Town Councilwoman Sylvia Overby not too long ago produced her return to the town board soon after a 4-month absence due to getting cancer therapy. In the course of the September 12th meeting, Overby shared that she had undergone surgery and several hospital visits all through the summer season. Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc and her colleagues warmly welcomed Overby back, acknowledging the substantial challenges she had faced. Overby expressed her gratitude for the assistance she had received from her colleagues, who had sent her uplifting messages and cards through her wellness journey.

Overby, an Amagansett resident, has been serving on the town board for 12 years and previously spent seven years on the town’s arranging board. Although declining to deliver particular facts about her diagnosis, she did mention that her physique had responded positively to the therapy. In January, Overby had announced that she would not seek re-election in November, intending to commit additional time with her young children and grandchildren. Having said that, she confirmed that she nevertheless plans to fulfill the rest of her term, which ends in December. She expressed her passion for particular matters that she hopes to push forward through this time.

Overby revealed that she had not been conscious of her illness till Could, when she had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance soon after a town board meeting. She described the diagnosis as a shock and unexpected. In the course of a June town board meeting, Councilwoman Kathee Burke-Gonzalez had shared how they would cover Overby’s committee responsibilities whilst she was on healthcare leave. All through her time away, Overby remained engaged with town small business, maintaining up with meetings by watching them on-line and getting updates from her secretary and fellow board members.

Journalist Joe Werkmeister covers the towns of Southampton, East Hampton, and Shelter Island. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and has previously served as the editor of two North Fork neighborhood newspapers.