Tribute garden dedicated to memory of Abbe Lawrence Beloved educator and teacher started her career at Bright Beginnings
This granite bench is part of the Abbe Lawrence Tribute Garden at the Bright Beginnings Center. Lawrence started her career at Bright Beginnings and died earlier this year from pancreatic cancer. Credit: Theresa Knapp
By Theresa Knapp
In November, the community gathered to dedicate a tribute garden and granite bench in memory of Abbe Lawrence, a beloved educator and friend, who died earlier this year from pancreatic cancer.
Lawrence began her career at the Bright Beginnings Center. This garden lines the sidewalk as one enters the building.
According to the “abbe-lawrence-tribute-garden” GoFundMe page, which raised nearly double its original goal, the dedicated space highlights “Abbe’s love of gardening, birds and nature along with her joyful time working with the children. It is our hope that the students will add their whimsical, unique touches and will care for the garden, making it a magical place for their annual release of butterflies.”
Lawrence retired from the Hopedale school system in 2019 where she was an applied behavioral analyst and special education therapist. She also worked at the Memorial Elementary School where another bench is planned, according to the GoFundMe page.
