Old Lyme — Longtime Democratic registrar of voters Patricia M. McCarthy retired Dec. 30 after 20 years on the job.

McCarthy, who was first elected to become a registrar in 1991, was also Old Lyme’s “first lady” during the two terms her husband Bud served as the town’s first selectman, according to a proclamation by the Board of Selectmen.

Prior to becoming an Old Lyme registrar, McCarthy worked for the state, reporting to the state’s Commissioner on Aging, according to the proclamation.

During her tenure, the number of registered voters in town rose from 4,063 to 5,917. The number of registered Democrats went from 922 to 1,686.

McCarthy worked during the tenures of four presidents of the United States, four governors of Connecticut and four Old Lyme first selectmen.

“During Pat’s tenure, the Registrars have run 5 Presidential elections, five State elections, eleven municipal elections, twenty-three Regional School District referenda, two Town Woods Road referenda, one Library board referendum, and one Hartford Avenue property referendum, as well as primaries for a variety of slates.”

The Board of Selectmen declared Dec. 30, 2011, “Patricia M. McCarthy Day.”