First memorial bench dedicated at Montrose park

BY STACI WILSON

Family and friends of Jane Spellman gathered at Montrose Memorial Park on Sunday, Sept. 19 for the dedication of a bench in placed near the walking track in her memory.

Montrose parks committee member Dan Regan said the bench honoring Spellman was the first bench to be installed as part of a new memorial program.

On Memorial Day, the walking track at the park was dedicated in memory of Daniel Arnold, who was killed while serving in Iraq in 2005.

The addition and dedication of the track at Memorial Park gave rise to the idea of installing memorial benches along the walking path.

Regan said, “I think it’s appropriate to honor Jane with this bench because of how much the park meant to the Spellman family.”

Spellman died earlier this year after a six year battle with cancer.

Rev. Gerry Safko, of Holy Name of Mary Church, told the nearly 50 people at the ceremony that a park bench was a fitting gift to be made in Spellman’s name.

“Jane was a courageous woman who liked to be with nature,” said Safko.

Parks committee member Amy Lyden, who spearheaded the bench program effort, said the Spellman bench was presented to the borough on behalf of her friends and neighbors.

Spellman’s husband, D.J. said to the crowd, “Thank you for today. It’s been tough, not just the past four months but the past six years. Thank you for the support you’ve shown our family.

Montrose Mayor John Wilson thanked Lyden and Regan for their efforts in getting the bench program underway.

“I hope this is just the first of many memorial benches that will be placed by the community in Memorial Park,” Wilson said.

Regan said, “I hope this sets an example for the community to show and do for our own.”

For more information about the bench program, contact Montrose Borough secretary Erin Jenner at 278-2442, ext. 3.

Husband D.J. and children Colin, Meghan and Katelyn Spellman are the first to rest on a bench dedicated in memory of Jane Spellman at Memorial Park.

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