Memorial bench honors long-time Morton Avenue Elementary teacher
DOVER-FOXCROFT — A teacher who taught generations of students over three decades at the former Morton Avenue Elementary School and was a friend to pupils, parents, colleagues and neighbors alike will be remembered with a memorial bench.
A granite bench with the words “In loving memory of Mrs. Judy A. Leighton. Our teacher, colleague and friend. Morton Avenue Elementary School” along with a photo of her was unveiled near the flagpole of what is now the Morton Avenue Municipal Building during an afternoon ceremony on June 14.
Jane Conroy, who helped organize the bench fundraising efforts, acknowledged the support of Lary Funeral Home, Piscataquis Monumental Company, town of Dover-Foxcroft and Foxcroft Academy for the bench to honor Leighton, who died unexpectedly on Feb. 11.
LEIGHTON BENCH — Amy Leighton and Lary Funeral Home Vice President Ethan Annis pull the cover off a bench memorializing Leighton’s mother Judy Leighton near the flagpole at the Morton Avenue Municipal Building in Dover-Foxcroft on June 14. The elder Leighton taught for 31 years, mostly first grade, at the complex when it was the Morton Avenue Elementary School before her 2007 retirement.
A lifelong resident of Dover-Foxcroft, Leighton taught at Morton Avenue for more than 31 years before retiring in 2007 — the last year the building served as a school prior to the opening of SeDoMoCha Elementary across the street.
“This effort started with a simple Facebook [post] and we had over 80 contributors to this effort, so I want to thank you,” Conroy said. “Whether you’re a family member, a friend, a colleague, a student or a customer of Judy’s, we all lost a piece of our heart when she passed.”
Conroy said she remembered Leighton leading her daughter’s class outside underneath the flagpole, where every morning Leighton and a student raised the flag. “How appropriate we are celebrating today on Flag Day in Judy’s memory,” Conroy said.
Larry Funeral Home Vice President Ethan Annis then came forward to lead the 40-plus people in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
“I was really honored to be asked to do this. Mrs. Leighton was a wonderful teacher and obviously one of my favorites,” Annis said about his first grade instructor.
IN LOVING MEMORY — A bench remembering Judy Leighton is now in place near the Morton Avenue Municipal Building flagpole in Dover-Foxcroft.
Rheba Michaud, who helped lead the bench effort, said she worked with Leighton, and her daughters had Leighton as a teacher. “I may be sad that she’s gone but my memories bring sun and light,” Michaud said.
She said after initial conversations with Conroy, they contacted Annis about possibly placing a plaque on the flagpole. Conroy spread news of the effort via Facebook and Michaud contacted her fellow retired educators.
“Through word of mouth, donations just kept coming and coming,” Michaud said. Soon the project evolved with enough funding for the memorial bench and a scholarship.
“We decided to put it here at Morton where she spent more than 30 years lovingly instructing her students,” Michaud said. “We decided this bench could be enjoyed by all who just wanted to come and rest for a bit. Here at this place where she loved to teach reading, love of country and kindness to each other.”
Michaud said she knew Leighton for more than 45 years and when her daughters had Leighton in first grade, she fully appreciated what a wonderful teacher she was.
“Her comments on her rank card, in that very small, neat print, contained much information about the whole child. What a treat to read those comments,” Michaud said. “More importantly, my girls felt that specialness that she gave to all her students.”
The afternoon included a sharing of memories of Leighton before her daughter Amy and Annis pulled the covering off to reveal the memorial bench.