(Duxbury’s Town Manager Richard MacDonald hosted a farewell party for his Executive Assistant and Duxbury resident Barbara Mello. Pictured are MacDonald, Mello and Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen, Anne Murray.)

Last Friday was a bittersweet day for Duxbury.

Barbara Mello, the executive assistant to Town Manager Richard MacDonald, left the position she’s held for 12 years to take a higher profile job with the Town of Braintree. Known around Town Hall as the go-to person for getting things done, Mello will be sorely missed.

“I’m going to obviously miss her greatly,” said MacDonald. “I never had to worry about any job not being accomplished because she always had it done. She’s been my right hand and my left hand too.” MacDonald won’t be left adrift, however. Taking over for Mello will be a familiar face, former assistant Town Clerk Susan Kelly. Recommended by a search committee formed by MacDonald, Kelly will come to the position with a working knowledge of Town Hall from her years working in the building next door.

“I know Susan from her work in the Clerk’s office,” said MacDonald. “She’s extremely intelligent and organized, and will make a great addition to the staff.”

For Mello, leaving Duxbury government after so many years serving the community was a bit hard.

“I didn’t realize how wrenching for me, how difficult it would be,” said Mello. “To leave this environment, this staff, the citizens of Duxbury, where I’ve worked on a daily basis for 12 years is hard. These people are under my skin.”

But Mello won’t be going far. She’s a resident of Duxbury and will volunteer at Town Meeting to help smooth the transition. That won’t surprise any around Town Hall who consider her the consummate professional.