The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
TEACHER REMEMBERED
Community pays tribute to Lorain teacher at event
A local family is bringing to life the dream of a Lorain teacher who wanted to help mothers and children read together.
At least 265 people came out Nov. 4 for the first “Rock N’ Read – Party with a Purpose” at German’s Villa in Vermilion.
The event was a tribute to Anne Godlewski, a teacher who spent almost 25 years teaching children in preschool to second grade in Lorain.
It also was the start of making her dream a reality.
The Godlewski family and their supporters raised money and will supply 40 rocking chairs and 40 baskets of books to Mercy Health Resource Mothers Program. They also will donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Lorain County’s SPARK early literacy program for Lorain schools.
“We’re raising money for Lorain’s future kindergarteners,” said her husband, Tom Godlewski. “This is what Anne wanted to do, so we’re doing it for Anne.”
Anne Godlewski, 56, died suddenly Feb. 7, the victim of an aneurysm.
She planned to retire after this school year and she already had
an idea about her next mission: supplying books and rocking chairs to new mothers.
Anne Godlewski’s strong sense of family grew from the moments she spent with her own children, rocking them to sleep when they were babies and sharing bedtime stories.
Although no one foresaw her sudden ill health, Anne Godlewski shared her ideas with her family members in the months before she died.
“So we just kind of took it and ran with it,” said her daughter, Meg Godlewski.
One of the guests was Beth Finnegan, director of Mercy Health Resource Mothers Program.
She never met Anne Godlewski, but now is working with her family.
“I just heard many good things about her from Tom,” Finnegan said. “Every time we talk about her, he cries and I cry. I didn’t know she had that vision. I’m so glad they’re continuing it.
“It’s a wonderful event,” she said. “It gives me chills.”
The program helps mothers in need with resources to empower them so they and their children can succeed in life, Finnegan said.
“Now we can have them rock and read to their babies,” Finnegan said. “I can’t even tell you, I almost have tears about it.”
The event drew friends from the former Lorain Catholic High School, where their children studied, and Elyria Catholic High School, where Anne and Tom Godlewski’s son, T.J., played hockey.
They came from the Admiral King communities – the high school, where Tom Godlewski graduated and the elementary school where Anne Godlewski taught.
The band was Up ‘Til 4, who were playing when Anne and Tom Godlewski’s met during their days as students at Kent State University.
The family thanked the community for the support. Tom Godlewski gave a special thank you to Wukie Furniture & Interiors of Grafton for help getting 40 rocking chairs.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Meg Godlewski. “But it’s an awesome legacy for her.”
“Now we can have them rock and read to their babies. I can’t even tell you, I almost have tears about it.” — Beth Finnegan, director of the Mercy Health Resource Mothers Program