PHOTOS: Medford Students Remember Beloved Secretay

MEDFORD, MA - This past December, the Columbus Elementary School lost a beloved member of its family when Joan Sullivan, the Columbus School secretary lost her battle with cancer.

She was loved by so many that the students and staff wanted to do something in her memory. The Columbus Community held a penny drive, which raised $755.80 and was donated to pancreatic cancer research. In addition, Dee Nazzaro, a Kindergarten teacher assistant, purchased a pine tree and the students decorated it with snowflakes in Mrs. Sullivan’s memory. However, they had to wait until the spring to plant it.
"Medford’s Tree Warden, Aggie Tuden, came by to help choose a location. She told us the tree was too big for the grounds, so we purchased a dogwood instead," a release said.

Early this week, the tree was planted, with Sullivan’s family in attendance, a release said. Principal Kay led the entire school in a touching dedication and memorial service that was organized by the Assistant Principal Sherman-Hudson, a release said. Several students shared some inspiring memories, a release said. While Sullivan’s children and grandchildren planted the tree, Oksana Karapetian and Kristin Turner, Medford Public Schools music teachers, played a lovely interlude. As Kay stated, “We miss you Mrs. Sullivan and know that we will continue to find comfort in your shade.”
Those who attended from Sullivan’s Family included her siblings, as well as, her children, and her grandchildren: Doreen Sullivan, Jenna Sullivan, Chloe Sullivan, and Gregg Sullivan. Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke and former Columbus School Principal Jean Barry also attend the tree planting ceremony.