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A Tribute to Judi Paradis

5/7/2019

6 Comments

 
Anita Cellucci is the Teacher Librarian at Westborough High School

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.
But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” – Mother Teresa
​

This past week, we lost a beloved colleague, mentor, and leader much too soon. The hearts of school librarians in Massachusetts and beyond will never be quite the same. She found the positive in every person she met and had the ability to make each one of us feel seen. Words do not do justice to all the good that she did - for school libraries, for librarians, and with great love, for her students. The school library is often said to be the heart of the school, a place where everyone feels welcomed. Providing that safe space for our communities is often deeply embedded in our vision. No one embodied this more than Judi Paradis.
There is so much that I will miss about our colleague, our inspiration, our friend. Here are just a few things:


  • Her incredible knowledge and understanding of politics, social justice and how all of this intersects with being a good human - all while making everyone around her want to do better
  • Her passion for all things library
  • The way that she connected people
  • The stories... of her family, her travels and adventures, and especially her students
  • Her innate ability to see the beauty around her and to articulate it in a meaningful way
  • The way her laughter could make our hearts lighter  

Remembering Judi will be easy, honoring her easier still. Put your whole heart into life, help others and throw a lot of love around - because that’s what Judi did and it’s what she would want in her memory.

Rest in Power our friend, we will do good for you.
6 Comments
Amy Short
5/7/2019 10:21:39 pm

This is a beautiful tribute to Judi. Thank you for writing this, Anita.

Reply
Robin Cicchetti
5/14/2019 11:25:38 am

This is perfect and beautiful, Anita. Thank you for honoring Judi.

Reply
Patsy Divver
5/14/2019 11:38:10 am

Judi was an unforgettable person in the library world. Thank you for putting our feelings into words, Anita.

Reply
Dorothy Kramer
5/14/2019 09:10:36 pm

Judi was one of those rare people who make everyone around her feel special and treasured and necessary—when the truth of it was that she was ALL of that and more. As Anita said, she led by example. And what an incredible example she has set for us all. I feel honored to have known her.

Reply
Kristie Hanley
5/22/2019 09:53:38 pm

Well said!

Reply
Liz Phipps Soeiro
5/23/2019 07:37:27 am

thank you for this tribute. what would judi do? xo

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