Dedications pay tribute to board member, teacher
BY ANDREW DAVISON Staff Writer

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Last week was one of remembrance as two dedications were held in honor of individuals associated with the Freehold Township School District.

On June 7, the West Freehold School playing field was dedicated to former Freehold Township Board of Education member Jeanine Willis. On June 9, a pink dogwood tree was dedicated to Eisenhower Middle School Spanish teacher Patricia O'Neill.

Willis, who died on July 24, 2007, was a highly regarded member of the school board for 26 years and volunteered in many other organizations.

Representatives of the Monmouth County Girl Scouts board of trustees, Freehold Soccer League and the Freehold Township Committee were expected to attend the ceremony dedicating the West Freehold School's playing field in Willis' name.

Willis was also a charter member of the Noontime Optimist Club, as well as being involved with the Monmouth- Ocean Soccer Association, the Battle of Monmouth Soccer Club, and the New Jersey State Youth Soccer Association, of which she served as executive director for more than 20 years.

O'Neill was an Eisenhower Middle School Spanish teacher from September 1999 through January 2007.

Organizers of the effort to plant a tree in her name said the fact that she taught up until one week before her death epitomized her strength of spirit and dedication to teaching. O'Neill was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000.

Guidance counselor Greg Durante led the dedication of the pink dogwood tree provided by the Eisenhower Middle School PTO. A memorial stone donated by Joseph Uras Monuments was unveiled.

The ceremony included personal readings from former and current students, as well as performances from current Spanish students under the direction of Carola Fernandez and Bonnie Molina.

A certificate of appreciation for a donation made in O'Neill's name by Eisenhower staff and students to the Marty Lyons Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to terminally ill children, was presented to the family.

Members of her family who attended the ceremony included O'Neill's husband, John, her two young children, Michael and Teresa, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patsy Filippone, and her brother, Joseph Filippone.