Arbor Day celebrated with tree planting at Springfield’s Bowles Elementary School in memory of paraprofessional Lynne Ainsworth
Updated Apr 30, 2021;
SPRINGFIELD Students and staff at Samuel Bowles Elementary School joined local officials in celebration of Arbor Day on Friday with a tree planting in memory of paraprofessional Lynne Ainsworth.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno were among those taking part in the annual Arbor Day celebration. They praised Springfield’s stewardship and protection of trees and the city’s designation as a “Tree City USA” 35 years ago when Neal was mayor.
The dedication of the tree in memory of Ainsworth, who died in 2020, was provided by teachers Holly Martin and Laura Stuart-Wonderlie. It stated: “May the roots of this tree spread strong and grow deep, just as her love did for every soul she touched. Lynne’s memory will live on in our Bowles School Family as this tree blossoms and grows.”