Amy's Greenhouse—10th Anniversary of 9-11 Ceremony

A large crowd of family, friends and the Barnard community attended Sunday's 9/11 ceremony at Amy's Greenhouse at Barnard Elementary School in New Rochelle. 

New Rochelle firefighters arrived in two shiny red fire engines and attended the ceremony. Numerous Barnard students, past and present, dressed in red, white and blue were seated on the patio, in the audience and on the hill that overlooked the event.

Amy's Greenhouse is located at Barnard. It is a living memorial to Amy O'Doherty, the 23-year-old daughter of a since-retired Barnard teacher, Geraldine Davie. Tragically, O'Doherty was killed in the World Trade Center terrorist attack Sept. 11, 2001. 

Millie Radonjic, project chairwoman, led the ceremony, introducing speakers including Mayor Noam Bramson, Police Commissioner Patrick Carroll, School Superintendent Richard Organisciak, Barnard Principal  Patricia Lambert and Brother Kevin Devlin.

In full dress uniform, Iraq veteran and United States Marine reservist Corporal David Patrick Mahoney (Infantry Unit, Fox Company 2/25) led a group of children in the Pledge of Allegiance. Young singer Rachel Rossello sang four songs including God Bless America and the Star-Spangled Banner. School Nurse Anna Summa read an original poem.

Radonjic thanked all who have supported Amy's Greenhouse since its inception. She acknowledged many in the audience who made the greenhouse possible, include O'Doherty's close friends who raised money for the greenhouse 10 years ago. 

Now these close friends are married with children and serve as a reminder of where Amy's life could have been, had it not ended so young. Some of the children of Amy's friends now attend Barnard school. Radonjic reflected that this brought the story “full circle.”

Davie spoke at length at the ceremony. She described her day at Ground Zero and at the new memorial at the site of the towers. When she read her daughter's name during the downtown ceremony, she added, "God Bless Amy's Greenhouse and Millie" for the entire world to hear. She showed a red, white and blue quilt that she received and thanked all that made Amy's Greenhouse possible and who continue to provide activities within the greenhouse.

At times Davie almost cried; at other times, she seemed exuberant.  She acknowledged the many family members in the audience including sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles, friends and neighbors and more.  She introduced with pride her other daughter Maura and her new husband and happily hoped, publicly, for grandchildren. She laughed and related happy memories of Amy and how she would have liked the greenhouse herself. Davie held up a pencil etching she made of O'Doherty's engraving on the new monument downtown. 

Radonjic invited her “Kiwanis Family” to the Memorial Ceremony. Daniel Ilich, past lieutenant governor and president of Parkchester Kiwanis Foundation, presented an oversized check in the amount of $1,000 to Barnard PTA Co-president Liz Smith. Through the years the Kiwanis Club has been a generous supporter of Amy’s Greenhouse  and the Barnard community is grateful.

Many people were thanked publicly, including those who provided signage, plant material and services. Radonjic personally thanked former School Superintendent Linda Kelly for her support of Amy's Greenhouse, even during the formative and questionable viability of the project. Frank Miceli of Sammarco Stone & Supply was thanked for donating the large and beautiful patio surrounding the greenhouse.

As is the custom at this annual event, new engraved bricks were unveiled on the patio, and then the guests were invited into the greenhouse for refreshments, including fresh raspberries, black and white cookies, chicken appetizers and Italian delicacies, courtesy of Baldor Specialty Foods and Galito’s restaurant from Mt. Vernon.  Faculty and PTA parents also thoughtfully donated baked goods. 

After the event and as the adults mingled pleasantly, the children dashed to the playgrounds and enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine.

For more information about Amy's Greenhouse, visit amysgreenhouse.com.