An educator honored; Library dedicated to Ann Marie Richardson.

Byline: Michael Kane

WEST BOYLSTON - It was an emotional day at Major Edwards Elementary School last Thursday as dozens of friends and relatives of longtime school librarian Ann Marie Richardson were on hand to honor her memory during the official dedication of the school's library in her name.

"Ann Marie Richardson was literally a one in a million person," former Principal Thomas Caruso said. "She did so much for this school and this town."

Caruso was among parents and family who remembered the longtime presence at Major Edwards for her energy, her dedication and, most of all, her love for the children.

"She was tireless in her commitment to the children," parent Pam Doonan said. "The bonds that Ann Marie forged with many of the children will be remembered for years to come."

"She was always there to greet them, mentor them and help them with reading and a multitude of other things," Donoon said. "She was often the recipient of visits from her former students stopping in to say hello and reminisce. She always had time to talk to them and share in their successes."

Doonan and parent Carrie Wattu were among those parents who helped organize the drive to rename the library in Richardson's name that started with a few dozen parents after her retirement two years ago. That effort more than doubled after Richardson's death one day before the first day of school last August, Wattu noted, with around 100 parents writing letters to and attending a meeting of the School Committee to request the dedication.

The reason for that kind of support became apparent to even those who did not work with Richardson. Both Superintendent Elizabeth Schaper and current Principal Marjorie McCarthy officially started after Richardson's retirement, but were hired while she was still with the district.

McCarthy noted she called the school to ask for information about the Edwards Avid Reader program that Richardson started and ran until her retirement.

"That one phone call clearly defined for me that person you all love and dearly miss," McCarthy said.

Schaper said the "letters upon letter that poured in" from parents help define what was special about Richardson.

"Ann Marie, you see, was apparently much more than just a regular school librarian," Schaper said. "She was, from every report, incredibly full of love.

"This library - her library - was a place of comfort and support to countless students and their families," Schaper said. "They knew it as a place of love...