During her last words on her final day at 89.3 The Current, longtime Twin Cities DJ Mary Lucia choked back tears as she said she never looked for outside affirmation about her work, but after hearing from listeners, she knew she made a difference and “it doesn’t matter if the company or management doesn’t feel the same way. Thank you for everything, I love you.” She then played the Rolling Stones’ “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It).”

Moments later, Minnesota Public Radio President Duchesne Drew sent an email to staff announcing that program director Jim McGuinn, Lucia’s boss, was no longer with MPR. A station spokesperson confirmed McGuinn’s departure and added “we do not discuss the details of personnel matters and will not be sharing any specifics.”

Lucia, 51, surprised listeners Tuesday when she announced she was leaving the St. Paul-based station she helped found back in January 2005. A story on The Current’s website offered no reason for her decision and a single quote from Lucia, “starting The Current 17 years ago was a joy.”

During her final on-air shift Thursday afternoon, Lucia dropped a hint about the reasoning behind her abrupt departure from the station when she played “Pay Gap” by Margo Price. The song, which sounds like a classic country ballad, includes the lyrics: “It’s been that way with no equal pay and I want to know when it will be fixed. Women do work and get treated like slaves since 1776.”

Wednesday, Lucia posted a note on her Facebook page that read: “The heartbreaking decision to leave my position at The Current is a long and nuanced story. The shortest version is I’ve been trying for years to affect positive change in the company. I’ve been concerned with equity and fair treatment of all of my sisters at the station. Past, present and future. Know your worth, embrace your unique talent and voice and lift each other up.”

Asked by the Pioneer Press for a response, Jean Taylor, the president and CEO of MPR’s parent organization American Public Media Group, issued a statement calling Lucia a “vital member” of the station and praised her as someone who is “immensely gifted” and “has built a one-of-a-kind relationship with her listeners.” Taylor went on to add that “I am firmly committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment where all employees, including women and people of color, are respected and valued.”

Lucia did not respond to an interview request Thursday.

A native of Massachusetts and the younger sister of the Replacements’ Paul Westerberg, Lucia began her Twin Cities radio career in the early 1990s on REV 105. She went on to host on Zone 105 and 15000 KSTP. During her time at The Current, she has become one of the highest-profile DJs in the Twin Cities.

Earlier this month, The Current announced four new hires, three of whom are women: Barb Abney (who the station fired in January 2015), WNXP Nashville’s Ayisha Jaffer and Parkway Theater talent buyer and KYMN vet Jessica Paxton.

During her final hours on the station, Lucia ignored the station’s play list and instead focused on her favorite songs. The wildly eclectic selection — which was somewhat reminiscent of the early, anything-goes days of the Minnesota Public Radio station — was filled with local favorites (Prince, the Replacements), glam rock (Slade, the New York Dolls) and artists rarely heard on The Current (Glen Campbell, John Mellencamp).

In her Facebook post, Lucia said she was not retiring.

“I have at least two books in me to write,” she said. “I’d like to think you’ll hear from me sooner than later. If I end up under a bridge drinking Scope you’ll probably hear about that as well. I’ve always believed that things work until they don’t.”