Some humorously recalled her devotion to a daily routine that included a 10 a.m. yogurt time.
Others fondly remembered how her lively personality and kind spirit would brighten up any situation.
And all of the coworkers and family members who gathered Monday to honor Sheree Maillie agreed that she was a positive, upbeat person who saw the good in everything and everyone.
Sheree, a cafeteria monitor at Newtown Middle School, was killed in a car accident on Woodbourne Road in December.
To memorialize their coworker and friend, dozens of Sheree’s colleagues gathered for a ceremony to dedicate a bench and garden they created in her honor. The blue bench is located by the middle school's cafeteria circle, right nearby where Sheree used to park, her colleagues recalled.
During the afternoon dedication ceremony, Maillie's coworkers took turns sharing memories they have of a woman with an exuberant personality who could always make people laugh.
Her husband, Mike Maillie, along with children, Michael and Julie, also attended the dedication ceremony.
Kit Azzaro, who works in the front office of Newtown Middle School, said she got to know Sheree very well through working with her.
“She was a presence,” Azzaro recalled. “She made the whole building smile. She was a character.”
Azzaro said Sheree’s humor and bright personality are unforgettable. “She was such a comedian. She was so funny and warm,” she said.
Barbara Korn, who was instrumental in putting together the memorial bench and garden, humorously recalled how Sheree had a morning routine that included “yogurt time,” followed by a 10:30 a.m. snack of a sucker candy. Then, Korn recalled, Shree would always say, “it’s time to make the donuts” – her terminology for going down to the lunchroom.
“She was the best,” Korn said.
Mike Maillie said he is grateful for the memorial bench and the kind words from Sheree’s coworkers.
“It’s beautiful,” he said of the bench and garden. “I really appreciate everything everybody said and did.”
Gerry & CIndy