Avon Free Library

It has been almost 7 years since our beloved Bettina passed away after battling cancer and while our family has found some peace with spreading her remains in places she loved (the Adirondacks and Germany), we still do not have a public space for everyone who loved Bettina to grieve and connect with her. We have been pondering this for some time and have now finally found the perfect place. We are very excited to share that we have the opportunity to create a memorial for Bettina at the Avon Free Library and we are asking for donations to help make this possible.

The library encompasses so much of who Bettina was and the impact she made on those that knew her. A library is a space open to all and instills a sense of community, belonging, and curiosity, which is very representative of how Bettina lived her life. The library is also a safe haven for those in need, especially for children, and Bettina dedicated her life to helping children and those in need by making them feel seen and heard. Prior to working as the Children's Librarian at the Avon Free library, Bettina worked for Primary Projects at the Avon Elementary School, helping children with special needs. After working at the library for a few years and once her three daughters were a little older, she decided to pursue a life long dream to get a college degree in social work. However, this dream was never realized after she was in a horrific car accident where she almost lost her life. Due to the injuries sustained from the accident, she was not able to complete her degree or return to work, but she still practiced social work like principles on a regular basis by helping her neighbors and staying involved with the library. She volunteered at the library and read every single book she could find on the library's shelves. She found solace in a place where she could still pursue her passions and bring a smile to others.

We'd like to raise funds to create a memorial for Bettina in the children's section of the Avon Free library. With guidance and support from the library director, Grace Frenzel, she has connected us with a local artist, Laura Homsey, who creates custom, one-of-a-kind pieces that commemorates loved ones. We'd like to re-create the image of Bettina in the children's library as a memorial for her legacy and to all the "unsung" heroes that help advocate and support children and those most vulnerable in our community. In addition, if we reach our fundraising goal, we'd like to dedicate the children's reading corner to Bettina.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 by the upcoming Grape Harvest Party on Saturday, September 28th, 2024. Once the projects are complete, we hope you can join us for the dedication of Bettina's memorial at the Avon Free Library (which will be announced at a later date).

All contributions collected on this website will be donated directly to the Avon Free Library.

We can't thank you enough for your generosity and support. Any gift amount will be so helpful and very much appreciated.