LETTER: Disappointed library board rejected memorial donation

To the editor:

You may or may not have known our mother, Jeanne Waschbish, personally, but you may have met her on occasion or heard her name mentioned. In our humble opinion, Jeanne was a pillar of the community. She started her journey of community involvement in 1974 when she accepted a position at Cook Memorial Library and continued her work when the library moved to its new location on Main Street. She continued to volunteer at the library after her retirement in 2005.

Mom was involved in so much more than the library. She took part in the chamber of commerce, the Red Hatters, Friends of the Library. She drove friends and neighbors and sometimes people she hardly knew to doctors or the Silver Sneakers programs. Her generosity and giving nature weren’t only restricted to Oconto Falls, they expanded into the surrounding communities as well.

Jeanne left us unexpectedly last Feb. 20. Mom loved being around people and learning new things and helping others. The Town of Oconto Falls gave her so much opportunity to be able to do those things. As a family, we felt it only right to give back something to the town that gave her so much joy.

We approached the Oconto Falls Community Library with three proposals as a memorial to her. Our first and favored proposal was a Wi-Fi park built behind the library, a 16-by-16 gazebo with seating within range of the library Wi-Fi that would provide a place for people to gather, read and relax. All we asked was the library contribute what they felt they could, and we would cover the rest. The second proposal was for a clock/sign in front of the library, and the third was a bench/statue outside by the front of the library.

We are sad to say the library turned down our proposed donated plans and funds. Our mother did everything she could to make the library a success, either while employed or volunteering. The library can only see the potential future cost to it rather than the opportunity to honor a woman whose hard work and dedication for 47 years helped the community as well as the library. As a family, we are deeply disappointed in its choice.

If you are as disappointed in the board’s decision as we were, please contact it with your concerns at Oconto Falls Community Library, 251 N. Main St., Oconto Falls, WI 54154, Attn: Larry Kindel, board president.

Frank Waschbisch, for the Waschbisch family, Oconto Falls