Portia Williams | Daily Times
Head Start staff and students gathered at ceremony held in honor of their late director Mary Parker.
Portia Williams | Daily Times
Kimberlee Pack, director of Head Start, holding certificate in honor of the former director Mary Parker.
Portia Williams
PDT Staff Writer
The Scioto County Head Start held a memorial dedication Tuesday at the Highland location in honor of the late director of the program. The ceremony was held in honor of Mary Parker, who passed away March 28.
A tree was planted in Parker’s honor and a plaque was placed in appreciation of her years of service and dedication to the program.
Kimberlee Pack is Parker’s successor. Pack, like Parker, has worked for Head Start and is now the new director of the program.
“She will always be remembered for her energy and dedication not only to Head Start, but to everything that she did,” Pack said.
Pack also told the crowd about a special recognition Parker received from State Senator Sherrod Brown.
“Senator Sherrod Brown had a flag flown over the U.S Capitol building on April 19, 2013, in honor of Mary’s memory as an extraordinary friend. We are going to display the flag here in the hallway at Highland with the letter that Sherrod Brown signed,” Pack said.
Pack said she believed Parker would be pleased with their efforts.
“Mary was very dedicated, she lived for Head Start. I think she would have been happy to see what we did. We will carry thoughts and vision that she had for Head Start out,” Pack said.
Daniel Parker, the son of Mary Parker, said the memorial in honor of his late mother was a great idea.
“I think it is really great. It will be a living memorial with the tree, my mom loved anything that was living. It’s an honor that so many people thought so much of her,” Parker said.
Pack ended the brief ceremony by thanking all of the staff, students and parents involved with the Head Start program.
“I would also like to thank everyone at Head Start, and all of whose lives Mary touched,” Pack said.
The Head Start program prepares young children entering into an elementary school environment. More information can be found at ohsai.org.
Portia Williams may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 286 or portiawilliams@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Portia on Twitter @ PortiaWillPDT.
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