Almost 21 years ago I walked into the Westbrook Public Library with my two-month-old son for a mom and tot playgroup. One of the first people I met was the lovely children’s librarian, Mary Nyman. What a passionate, kind person she was to welcome us to the beautiful children’s section she had built.

As the years progressed my boys partook in her weekly story hours, got help from her with recommendations for books to read both in their free time and for school, and her kind words and listening ears to me meant the world. How lucky our family was to move on to her street where we were able to get to know Mrs. Nyman even more.

What we learned is that she is the genuine thing. She is passionate about her job working with children and the community, and has the biggest heart probably in all of Westbrook. With both my children now college age, we don’t have much need to have them visit her part of the library (though my older son did work there and my younger son continues to work there now) and I am sad for those that will not get the chance to know just how amazing she was for our town.

I know in my heart however that the impact and things she has done for the library as a whole are huge and will last forever. I offers thanks to Mrs. Nyman and wish her a happy retirement.

Amy Heilmann

Westbrook