Northvail School Opens Reading Room in Memory of Staff Member

A media secretary left behind a legacy at Northvail School. The school created a Reading Garden in Agnes Hogan’s memory, who was "dedicated to providing a scholastic environment for the students" and "was an esteemed colleague always willing to help the children and staff and a lifelong reader," said Lorraine Esposito, a reading teacher at Northvail.

Bridget Agnes Hogan died at the age of 71 on Christmas last year and "was the secretary in the libraries for the Troy Hills and Northvail Elementary Schools in Parsippany for over 10 years. Bridget was a member of Saint Christopher R.C. Church in Parsippany," according to her obituary.

Laura Centurrino, a second grade teacher, received a District Mini-Grant and used the funds to give Northvail’s courtyard a make over and she was able to use some of the funds to buy bushes, flowers and pavers to create a special corner reserved for Hogan.

"The PTA provided a sign in the garden that reads, “Mrs. Hogan’s Reading Room.” They also generously collected funds to purchase books. Mrs. Hogan’s family donated books as well. To further add to the Media Center’s collection, Mrs. Connie Marchese, Northvail’s Media Specialist, placed a bookplate inside each donated book stating, 'In memory of Agnes Hogan.'"

"With the addition of the reading garden,  Northvail will continue Mrs. Hogan's work. She was a remarkable woman who is as remembered for her calm and loving smile that always lit up the media center.  Now in her memory there is a pleasant place for the children and staff to sit and relax with a good book."