Bench dedication honors the memory of Ann Whitehill

Last Saturday, May 6, friends and colleagues of Ann Whitehill gathered to honor her with the dedication of a beautiful bench on the patio outside of Niwot Jewelry & Gifts and next to Osmosis Art and Architecture. Approximately 35 people attended to share stories and reminisce, including Whitehill's sister Alice, and her brother David.

The bench dedication had been planned for some time by Jan Kahl of Niwot Jewelry & Gifts, who had employed Whitehill. Kahl helped with a location for the bench, and had a front row seat to the bench installation. She said, "They've been working all day. They brought this bench, that apparently weighs 300 pounds, and it's beautiful. And there's flowers there. It's lovely."

Francesca Howell led the ceremony with opening remarks that included a poem by Laura Weaver and fond remembrances. Afterward, Howell said, "Ann and I took care of horses together. She was wonderful to my children, stayed in my cabin. She was incredibly courageous, did things I would never do. She was a complex and gifted person."

Howell was followed by Ann's sister, who set the tone for the rest of the event. Alice Whitehill talked about Ann's love of horses, her work at the September School, her love of water, her appreciation for living in the West, her connections with adolescents, as well as her work with both pottery and other artisan crafts including leather working. Alice said, "You were all angels, an incredible gift to my sister and, by extension, to us. We'll never forget your kindness and generosity."

Several others echoed many of Alice's remarks and also talked about adventures swimming with Whitehill, including excursions to the Boulder Reservoir and her work getting to know the community as Advertising Director for the Left Hand Valley Courier.

Once time for reminiscences passed, there was a moment to further honor Whitehill by making a donation in her name. The donation came from the GoFundMe Account, which raised enough to cover the cost of the bench, plus an additional $2,700. Those funds were designated to go to The Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center. A representative of the Center who knew Whitehill and had ridden with her, was there to receive the donation, saying that it would go to fund a horse's room, board, feed, treats and footcare for a year.

Once reminiscences and presentations were finished, Whitehall's friends, family and colleagues gathered together in fellowship. They lingered, talked, reviewed a photo board, and shared stores. And going forward, they know that they have a bench where, when they want to remember Whitehill, they can take a moment, sit, perhaps grieve the loss of her presence, and be with her again through their memories. That should be a consolation going forward. A beautiful purpose, in a beautiful spot, meaningful to many.