Kathy and I before the festivities began.
(Am I really this tall?)

Kathy entered the Brubeck Room, which she helped to bring to life, in a queen’s robe. She was escorted up to the front where her throne awaited her. There was a delightful hour-long concert by Triple Play in her honor followed by Special Toasts and gifts that allowed those in attendance to hear the full range of Kathy’s contributions.

Curt Welling, who served as emcee for the celebration honoring Kathy’s retirement from the Wilton Library on Sunday, credited her with creating “the beating heart of the community.” That was just the beginning of the accolades for this smart, talented, hard-working and dedicated woman who I’ve had the privilege of knowing since high school. One fact that stunned me is that over 700 people visit the library daily. The First Selectman, who also spoke in tribute to Kathy, called the Wilton Library the”cultural center of our community.”

My own personal experience of Kathy’s brilliance and generosity came when she was taking her MLS (Masters of Library Science) degree at Syracuse University. She was so excited about all that she was learning, she insisted that I needed a website. This was over 15 years ago, and she offered to create one for me. Which she did. My very first site was beautiful, thorough and got me on the map, thanks to Kathy’s efforts. Doesn’t everyone have a nephew or a family friend who makes that same offer, but how many of them actually follow it through to completion?

I’m excited that now Kathy will have more time to play. She’s an avid reader, theatre goer and traveler. Since her last day at the Library is June 30, and I’m taking July off, I can see some fun excursions with her in my near future.