In life, we often meet people who, although we only know them for a short time, leave a lasting imprint on our hearts. And so, it was with great sadness that the students and staff of H. Hardcastle School said goodbye to a cherished librarian.
A memorial and dedication ceremony was held in honour of librarian Anne Olson, who lost her battle with cancer last October.
Friday, Oct. 15, family, friends, and colleagues met in the gym at 7:30 p.m. to pay homage to someone who was so much more than a librarian.
Principal Byron Merkosky welcomed all and then called on Louise Baillargeon to speak. Baillargeon shared memories of their teaching days together and how Olson's family was the most important part of her life. She spoke of Olson's love of the children who came through the doors of her library and her love of books and reading.
Memories that came to my mind were the Clifford key chain (the big red dog) that hung in the lock of the library office door and how she would send each graduating class on their way with the story "Oh, The Places You will Go!", and the wall of fame where she placed articles and pictures from the newspaper that involved the community.
The library was dedicated to her memory, after 18 years of service, and will now be known as the Anne Olson Memorial Library.
The staff commissioned local artist Bonnie Macnab of Mervin to create a painting representing the memories they had of Anne. The words they used to describe the woman they had worked with led Bonnie to share them with her daughter. After their conversation, Rebecca said Anne sounded like Mother Goose. This was the perfect starting point for the painting.
With her family being so important to Anne, the family tree took shape and frames one side. The daffodils for cancer campaign was dear to Anne's heart and they frame the other side of the painting. The title of the book she read to the Grade 12 students each graduation takes centre stage, while the bookworm that was hidden in a book in the library, waiting for a student to find it, is in the bottom corner. A dragonfly represents transition while the characters from the books she enjoyed reading to the little ones are on their way to the library with Clifford in the lead.
It was pointed out by a teacher that Mother Goose's wings weren't those of a goose but those of an angel.
Anne left to cherish her memory her husband of 34 years, Gordon, and children; David and Christine and their sons Oscar and Harvey; Jan; Jim and Janelle and their son Reid; and her mother Barbara Chaney along with extended family and her H.H.S. family.
