Family and friends of Colleen Menefee, who passed away last year, gathered again in her memory on Nov. 9 at the installation of a granite marker by the tree planted in her honor in front of the Los Banos Public Library.
This was the completion of a Los Banos Rotary Club project that included, besides the planting of a tree, the installation of two benches on a concrete pad in front of the library. The dedication of that project took place May 11. The only missing component was the marker, which was delayed because of supply chain setbacks.
The inscription on the marker reads: “In memory of Colleen Menefee, who found joy in serving.” The marker also includes a Rotary emblem, along with Rotary’s motto, “Service above Self.” The marker was created and donated by Whitehurst Funeral Chapels.
The installation of the marker was completed a short while before the Nov. 9 ceremony, thanks to the work of Rotarians Tony Whitehurst, Manuel Jimenez and Dick Gerbi.
The Rotary project, now complete, had been a long time coming, in the works since Colleen passed away in Feb. 2021. The Rotary Club received help on this $5,000 project from many individuals, organizations, and government entities.
At the ceremony Colleen was remembered as an active dedicated Rotarian and Friend of the Los Banos Library. One speaker pointed out that the memorial to her by her Rotary Club in front of the library she loved was an appropriate tribute.
Besides Rotarians, family members and friends of Colleen, Amy Taylor, Merced County Library Director, and Nola Ramirez, primary library tech at the Los Banos branch of the Merced County library, also attended the ceremony. Dr. Mark Marshall, Superintendent of the Los Banos Unified School District and a Rotarian, attended in part to honor Menefee’s quarter-century of service as a school board member.
It was noted that when persons now pass by the library, sit on the benches and perhaps read a library book under Colleen’s tree, they will know who was honored — for her joyful service.
