St. Anthony School honors late volunteer with garden

WINSTED — Rain poured Friday afternoon, Oct. 19, as members of the St. Anthony School community huddled under umbrellas to celebrate the life of a late longtime friend and volunteer, Jean Battistoni O’Meara, by dedicating a garden in her memory.Members of the school and church community, including students, teachers and family members, attended the ceremony, which included a dedication by the Rev. Dennis Arambasick.O’Meara, who lost her battle with cancer in September 2010 at 55 years old, grew up across the street from the school and graduated from St. Anthony in 1968. She volunteered for many years at the school and St. Joseph’s Church, including at regular bingo nights. She worked as a property manager for Equity Management in Avon and was a member of the Winchester Housing Authority’s board of directors.To honor her memory, church volunteers, along with her widower, Daniel O’Meara, constructed the garden in the school’s backyard, behind the cafeteria.The garden includes a memorial stone with an engraved tribute to O’Meara with wooden posts representing the Stations of the Cross. The tribute reads: “In loving memory of Jean Battistoni O’Meara — S.A.S class of 1968 — Of tender Heart and Generous Spirit.”In the center of the garden is the cornerstone of the original school building from 1887. Arambasick read several blessings from the bible and also blessed the Stations of the Cross.“She was exactly as the memorial reads, a very kind and compassionate person,” school Principal Patricia Devanney said. “She would help set up bingo at the church every Wednesday. When she came, she could have had a terrible day but no one would have known. She was always a pleasant and outgoing person.”Daniel O’Meara, who is the church’s sexton, said his late wife would have been honored by both the ceremony and the garden.“Jean was a very humble and giving person,” O’Meara said. “She was very active in the community and most of all she loved her school and church. It’s a real tribute. There have been many people over the years who have donated to the church, but to have this garden in Jean’s name is very special. Me and Jean practically grew up here. When I was in first grade, she was in kindergarten. We were together for a very long time.”Her daughter, Jamie O’Meara Cartwright, said her mother would have been overwhelmed by the tribute.“She would have never believe this garden is here in her memory,” Cartwright said. “She would not believe all of you that are here to remember her today because she was a humble woman. After she died, we heard so many stories of the ways she helped others, we have no idea how she found the time to work full-time and take care of all of her family. Yet she did. She was the kind of person you could call when you needed something and she would help.”