In Memoriam

BETTYP. HOMAN
Once again we mourn the tragic loss of one of our Associates, Betty P. Homan.    Along with her son, William P. Homan, M.D. and her daughter-in-law, Valerie Ross Homan, Betty died in the crash of a private airplane on July 5, 2006.   Widow of the late William E. Homan, M.D., a beloved pediatrician, Betty was a Major Sponsor in our Adopt-a- Park program for many years, and she also helped us with our mailings.   But Betty is best remembered for her spark and enthusiastic participation at our annual Gala.   We will miss her.

HENRYL. PRIESTLEY 1914-2006
Upon his retirement as vice- president of Union Carbide, longtime WPBF board member Hank Priestley started from the ground-up, literally.   He planted hundreds of tulip bulbs with his wife Marj, who served as WPBF president from 1971 to 1984.    Our budget was small, so the Priestleys made sure we’d be greeted by colorful beds of tulips in springtime.   Hank served as treasurer for many years, filing tax returns and handling details necessary for non-profits.   Very few organizations function with- out salaried employees, but we've continued to do so for 41 years, thanks to people like Hank Priestley He also served as a fundraiser, successfully pursuing major donors.

Hank was a modest man, a gentle man.   We remember a man who’d sit down at a keyboard and play any- thing anyone requested.   Jazz, pop- ular, old-time, ragtime, you name it; he played it.   He was a skier, a world- traveler, a devoted father, a caring husband, and a very generous man.   We will greatly miss him and remember him fondly.

2006 Benches in Memory of:

Councilman Robert E. Greer
Given By The City Democratic Commitee

Frank and Margaret Harte
Given By Their daughter Nancy VanVooren

Lindsey M. Bonistall ‘03
Given By The Academy of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

White Plains Beautification Presidents

Bouquets of thanks to our current and past presidents

Pictured above standing from left: Current President Dorothy Schere, Past Presidents: Beth Wallach, Barbara Vrooman, Ann Edwards, and Sally Coe. Seated from left: Hon. Robert Ruger, Brian Wallach, and Marjorie Priestly.

There are some people who work behind the scenes to help us keep our mission alive and growing. Some are not able to attend our monthly board meetings and we'd like to introduce you to one of them - WPBF Board Member Alison Walshof Westminster Ridge, in White Plains. Alison lives with her husband, Rob, and children, Chris and Casey, and holds down a full-time job in Westport, CT., but still manages to give us countless hours - many sitting in front of a computer after hours on the home front. Alison was also Co-Chair of our Fall Gala two years ago and is an indispensable member of the Adopt-a-Park Committee. We hope there are others of you with talents you'd like to share with us. We can always use more helping hands. This is a good time of year to count the blessings we reap from this very special group - the volunteers who live and work among us.