WHS Inducts Walsh into Hall of Fame
By Sherry Cronin/Westfield Historical Society
The Westfield Historical Society is proud to announce the induction of Darielle Walsh into the prestigious Westfield Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the community and beyond. Darielle Walsh’s dedication to community organizations, education, government and business has left an indelible mark on Westfield.
Darielle Walsh has been active in the community for over 40 years as a volunteer and professional working with non-profit organizations. She is an organizational consultant providing training and board development solutions specializing in board governance, leadership and effectiveness. A community builder, her leadership skills, expertise and professional services, enable her to assist local, regional and national non-profit organizations to maximize their potential, serve their communities and develop stronger organizations, better equipped to meet the demands of a changing environment.
A member of the Westfield Area Y Board of Directors since 1993, Darielle served four years as Board Chair and continues in a leadership role as secretary and capital campaign chair raising funds for major renovations. She received the Y’s prestigious “Golden Volunteer Award” (2000) for dedicated service to the Westfield Area Y and youth of the community. Her local YMCA involvement earned her a position on the YMCA-USA National Board of Directors where she served on committees that focused on her area of expertise.
Darielle has been an active volunteer with many local community organizations in leadership positions, including nine years on the Westfield Board of Education, three as president, leading the district through bond referendums for school capital improvements; 13 years on the Westfield Municipal Planning Board and the Westfield Municipal Town Council; president of the Westfield Optimist Club, Westfield Rotary Club, Westfield Education Fund; and Trustee of the Westfield United Fund and Westfield Foundation.
A member of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 2013 she served as president and secretary. Darielle was the recipient of the Westfield Chamber of Commerce “Faith in Westfield Community Service Award (2000); and Caring Contact’s Gerald Glasser “Community Partnership Award” (2014). As a recipient of the “Woman of Excellence Award” (2005) by the Union County Commission on the Status of Women, Darielle was recognized for her volunteerism and dedication to community service.
A former elementary school teacher, Darielle was an active volunteer and PTSO president. In 1989 she was instrumental in establishing the Optimist Club Project Graduation BASH for the Westfield High School senior class and continued as chairperson of the annual event until 2021. Project Graduation provided a safe environment for the high school senior class to celebrate their graduation and over 9,000 students attended this all-night event. In 1991, she helped establish the Westfield Education Fund to focus additional resources on improving academics and supporting innovation and enhancements in all Westfield public schools.
Darielle and her husband Michael reside in Westfield since 1979. Married for 54 years, they have two married sons and five grandchildren.
The 11 members of the 2025 Hall of Fame selection committee are planning the induction ceremony for Friday, October 10, 2025 at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield, where Darielle will be honored alongside six other distinguished individuals: William McLaren Bristol, Christopher Lundy Campbell, Keith Hertell, Carole Shaffer-Koros, Charlotte Nichols Montgomery and David Wroe.
Since 1968, the 501(c)(3) non-profit Westfield Historical Society has worked to preserve, interpret, and encourage interest in history, Westfield, and its residents through educational efforts and community outreach programs.
Westfield Historical Society members and the public at large are encouraged to submit profiles of people believed to be strong candidates for the Westfield Hall of Fame to the Westfield Historical Society, 314 Mountain Ave., Westfield, NJ 07090.