LETTER FROM THE PAWS PRESIDENTSadly, we have lost a great friend to each of us and all the animals. Esther was my friend and an important mentor in my life.
HER TEACHINGS
She taught me that every living creature, from the ant on the sidewalk to the human animals who can, at times, be quite a challenge to all of us—they all have value and deserve humane treatment. Esther always had a joke to tell, reminding me how important it is to laugh, and keep our sense of humor. She taught me that you are never too old to start something new. At the age of 65, Esther led the evolution of the Wakefield Canine Control Committee into the organization we now know as PAWS.
HER LEADERSHIP
She led this organization as our president for 10 years, and she continued to participate as an active board member for another 10 years. More recently, she decided to scale back her activities, but she was always paying attention to the needs in our community.
HER IDEAS
It was Esther who suggested that PAWS donate the funds for a protective vest for Leo, the Wakefield Police dog. She also created scholarship fund in her name through the Wake-field Citizen's Scholarship Foundation and as a tribute to her 90th |
birthday, PAWS helped to raise the money to make this fund permanent
HER SUPPORT
Esther continued to support PAWS in many ways, including making the rounds to pick up the penny cans throughout the comm-unity. And she even attended our Summer Solstice fundraiser at the end of June. She called me often with advice, ideas, and also to express her appreciation for all that our board and volunteers do to keep her “baby” (PAWS) alive and well.
HER LEGACY
She was an amazing woman and a strong, dedicated voice for PAWS and for our animals.
We, PAWS, would like to be a living monument to Esther's legacy, and so PAWS will continue to be a voice for the animals in our area: helping those animals in need, encouraging humane values, and supporting animal-related education in our schools.
OUR MEMORIES
Since Esther’s passing, we have received many calls, emails and letters from her friends and colleagues, expressing condolences and sharing their thoughts, stories, and memories. |
in this special edition, we have included some of these messages and pictures.
YOUR MEMORIES
I would like to invite you to visit our Guestbook page and read the stories, and, help us to record Esther’s legacy by sending us stories of your own, pictures, quotes and even jokes that remind you of her.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Finally, I would just like to say that I will miss Esther very much. But, I will be reminded of her every time I hear the Starfish story or when I pass by the State House steps in Boston, or go to Star Island (one of her favorite get-away spots). I will know she is watching when I see a cat sitting in a window, safe and warm inside, or a dog walking around Lake Quannapowitt with her human companion, or a child reading a book about animals. Esther will be truly missed, but her teachings and her kind, thoughtful spirit will live with us forever.
Susan DiMeo
President, PAWS |