Submitted by Brooks Goddard:
Before a gathering of 70 people, the new Memorial Garden at Wellesley High School was re-dedicated on Saturday in the grassy space left of the school building with benches and new plantings. All members of the school community and the town itself were invited. There were brief speeches by former teacher, Brooks Goddard, and current principal, Andrew Keough. The names read out included those of former faculty, and the years of their death, and the names of former students and their class year.
Faculty: John Certuse (1967), Sue Copell (1991), Sam Graves (1969), Gloria Niese (1985), Alice Teed (1967), Sally Wellington (1982). Students: Matthew Jong ’93, Sean O’Brien ’94, Jason Heacock ’95, Dan McCabe ’07, Jenny McPhee ’07, Christine Chang ’07, Hannah Randolph ’15.
A reception in the high school lobby followed.
The Memorial Garden is complemented by the works of the WHS Landscaping Committee. Volunteers from the National Honor Society assisted Committee chair Brooks Goddard last week in cleaning up the Katherine Bronson Rhododendron Garden. Those interested in volunteering time or expertise should contact Mr. Goddard at goddard@rcn.com
Many thanks to all of you who came and those who supported our efforts. Apologies to the family and class of Sean O’Brien whose class should have been designated as ’92. The Memorial Garden is a great space and hopefully will be lovingly used for many, many years. Oh, yes, the trees will grow to 15 feet.
Alice Teed was the most inspirational teacher I ever had, but Mildred a Thelen, the greatest Spanish teacher one could ever experience, was just as great. She should be recognized also.
My heart aches years later and miss my Brother Jason. Of all the souls I’ve encountered his was the most kind and he had contagious sense of humor. My children never got to know their Uncle. After his death, my siblings moved away and changed their names. Attended another High School and ostercised myself and my family to forget the loss. I’m the only Heacock left in Massachusetts. I don’t know where the rest are anymore but it hurts my children they have no family on my side. Their Mother’s family have died and our children truly only have eachother as family. I worry constantly about their mental health. If Jason was still around I know he would have been a wonderful Uncle to them.
Sorry for your loss these many years later Kent, though we’re glad you still hold such good memories. Bob & Deborah