SFGate: Woman gives up job to save colleague's position

SFGate: Like so many cities in America, one Northern California town is making painful fiscal cuts. Reeling from the foreclosure crisis, Lathrop decided to eliminate 11 city positions to help close its $1.5 mil deficit. Sharon Singleton, a 60-year-old accountant, was among the workers who were supposed to be let go this week. But then her colleague did something unexpected. Accounting technician Patricia Overy sacrificed her job so Singleton could keep hers. [Tip to KCRA]

Overy is a union shop steward and a mother of four. She said her husband, who works for the city of Tracy, supported her decision. "I felt I could cope with the loss of a job, perhaps better than my co-workers," she told News 10.

At a council meeting Monday night, Overy, who was praised by the mayor and applauded by the audience, gave a gracious farewell speech:

"My hope is that the community of Lathrop will survive this difficult economy, thank you."

Overy's last day was Tuesday. She said she plans to spend time with her children before searching for work.

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