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Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.
- Author unknown.

This beautiful sentiment inspired a group of Cold Spring, Garrison and Putnam Valley residents to meet at the Julia Butterfield Library this past Fall to kick off a fund raising effort in memory of their dear friend, neighbor and fellow teacher Midge Willette who passed away this year. The fundraiser is intended to benefit the Children’s Room at the Library.

The event provided a wonderful opportunity for all to share stories about this extraordinary woman. Born in North Adams, MA, Midge showed early signs of her New England determination when from a very young age she set her sights on becoming a teacher. Midge and her (deceased) husband, Lee were career teachers who dedicated their lives to making learning a joyful and enriching experience. As a former teacher at Haldane and later at Putnam Valley, Midge instilled a love of books and the art of story telling into the lives of her first grade students.

As a resident of Cold Spring’s Rock Street, Midge never tired of sharing her gift of story telling. No matter what the age of her audience, Midge had the uncanny ability to say just the right words to delight, add laughter and leave her neighbors’ feeling genuinely better for having known her. It seemed fitting that the friends who knew and loved her would join to honor her memory through a fund raising campaign to benefit the children of Cold Spring.

It is the mission of the Friends of Midge Willette to honor their friend by raising funds to provide the Children’s Room of the Butterfield Library with educational materials geared to enrich the learning experience of the children of Philipstown. This month will mark the kick-off of this ongoing fund to benefit the Children's Room. To make a donation please fill out the form below. You may submit your donation using the PayPal link below or simply send a check made payable to the Butterfield Library with Friends of Midge Willette on the memo line. Your donation is tax-deductible.