For 27 years Theresa VanLeer was a fixture and a welcome sight to patrons checking out books at the original Monroe Township Free Library on Main Street in Williamstown and then again at the modern new building on Marsha Road.
Described as “helpful, indispensable, kind, strong, caring and hard-working,” the Friends of the Library honored the late circulation director and trustee VanLeer during a touching ceremony on Tuesday evening, Aug. 12.
“Your laughter lingers in our hearts” states the memorial plaque above the beautiful new sofa in the Children’s Library where her husband, George, and daughter, Pamela Eubanks, sat while listening to stories of what VanLeer meant to the library.
“She was always happy and raring to go on one project or another,” said Board of Trustees President Joan Betterly, adding VanLeer was an employee, a trustee and a member of the Friends of the Library.
“We are presenting this sofa to the Children’s Library in honor of Theresa,” said Friends President Sharon Robinson, adding that VanLeer had requested donations to the group after she passed on Oct. 24, 2024.
Participating in the ceremony were Library Director Samantha Snyder and members of the Friends in matching blue shirts, including Robinson, Betterly, Allison Munch, Nancy Citrino, Jeanne Kirsch, Nancy Rodney, Suzanne King, Bonnie Kahlbom, Janet Mead, Kathy Duffy, Karen Slade, Shirley Davis and John Pohler.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, VanLeer had lived in Washington Township before moving to Williamstown in 1977, where she and George raised their daughters, Pamela, Amy and Michelle.
“Terry was who I went to talk through my thoughts to make plans to move the library forward,” Snyder relayed. “She was always honest when my wild library ideas weren’t fully formed and sounded like they needed more work.”
“Terry was a champion for the girls in her department to go back to school and get their degrees – Brittany and Nicole got their master’s in library science and Melissa is working on a doctorate in public policy,” Snyder said. “Terry was a champion for the staff when she became a trustee – she wanted to see us appreciated for the work we did.”
When Snyder was taking a tour after being interviewed for a job at the library by former director Manny Paredes in 2014, it was “where I first met Terry who was listening to Christmas carols whilst decorating behind the front desk.
“I had come from a library where we were not allowed to decorate for any holiday, so I was surprised and intrigued by this welcoming place,” Snyder recalled. “Terry was introduced as the circulation department supervisor and was just a very warm person.”
VanLeer faithfully decorated the library for Christmas every year, and did the same at home.
“Our house was kind of like ‘The Grisworlds’ with decorations everywhere,” said Eubanks, who was thrilled her mom was being honored.
While gathered around near the new sofa, members of the Friends said great things about VanLeer, such as “Terry trained me,” “She was wonderful,” “She gave me confidence in the job,” “She checked out my first book on Main Street when I was young,” and “She was amazing and I will miss her.”
The Friends of the Library will continue to make sure VanLeer’s legacy of service and dedication to the patrons will live on forever – especially when a child reads an adventure book like “Treasure Island” while sitting on her comfortable sofa.
