Post by Marc LeVine on Feb 19, 2007 19:55:33 GMT -5
Lake Topanemus garden honors volunteer’s efforts
Jean DeCicco Levine gave time to many community groups
BY LINDA DeNICOLA
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — In a small clearing that looks out over Lake Topanemus, Pond Road, one of Freehold Township’s most active volunteers will be honored with a reflection garden in the park she valued so much.
A dedication ceremony for the Jean DeCicco Levine Reflection Garden at Lake Topanemus park will take place on Sept. 25. There will be a brief ceremony at 11 a.m., rain or shine, to recognize DeCicco Levine’s volunteer efforts and her passion for Lake Topanemus park, which is a collaboration between Freehold Township and Freehold Borough.
DeCicco Levine, 62, died on April 13, 2003 at CentraState Medical Center. She was a community volunteer and an active member of the Lake Topanemus Commission. The commission has planted trees and flowers, placed benches and cleared a garden area in her memory.
The dedication will unveil a plaque detailing DeCicco Levine’s service to the community and environment, said Joseph J. Ferdinando, a member of the Lake Topanemus Commission.
“Many people worked together to make the reflection garden a reality,” Ferdinando said, noting that the garden was built with the help of DeCicco Levine’s husband, Ron Levine, her family, Freehold public works employees, the Freehold Area Running Club, Lake Topanemus Commission Chairman Roger Kane and the commissioners, community volunteers and high school students.
“Jean touched many lives and many people worked [on] the garden in her honor. One of Jean’s favorite trees happened to be redbuds. Ten redbud trees were planted to honor Jean’s memory,” Ferdinando said.
Freehold Township Mayor Dorothy Avallone said she and DeCicco Levine were good friends who had known each other for almost 30 years.
Noting that DeCicco Levine lived on Robertsville Road, Avallone said, “The park was her neighbor. If something was wrong, or if something was good, she would report it. There was no chore that she would say took too much time. She gave so much of herself and was a tireless worker for Lake Topanemus. She served on the Lake Topanemus Commission for many, many years. She never failed to send me the minutes of every single meeting.”
Patrick Preston, who served with DeCicco Levine on the commission for 10 years, said she had made a lasting impression on him.
“She was an original member of the commission when it was formed in 1978 and she was the heart and soul of this volunteer group. She was the definition of a true community volunteer as she led by example without ever seeking recognition. Her passing left a big hole that we will never be able to really fill, but her inspiration gives us the resolve to continue the work that she started,” Preston said.
DeCicco Levine was born in Bergenfield and was a resident of Freehold Township for 35 years. The township purchased her 10-acre property on the east side of Robertsville Road in May. The property adjoins Lake Topanemus and land at East Freehold Road and Route 79 that the township is developing as Opatut Park. Most the tract will be used for open space and recreational purposes.
DeCicco Levine, who was a nurse for many years, owned the Country Tutor Nursery School in Freehold Township before retiring from that business in 1976.
She held many volunteer positions. She was an executive assistant and chairwoman of the annual gala for the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, and was an 18-year member of the board of trustees of the YMCA, where she served on and chaired many committees. She was chair of the Ann May School of Nursing alumni scholarship committee, and a member of several committees for that organization.
In addition, DeCicco Levine was a former member of the Freehold Township Drug and Substance Abuse Committee and former co-chair of the Freehold Township Republican Election Committee. She was a canal tender at the Delaware Canal, Pennsylvania, a commissioner of the Lake Topanemus Commission, and served on the Monmouth County Environmental Council.
She was also a member of many historical and conservation societies in the region. She was awarded the YMCA of Western Monmouth County’s Distinguished Service Award in 1972, the association’s fund-raising award in 1978 and a 10-year recognition award from CentraState Medical Center.
Jean DeCicco Levine gave time to many community groups
BY LINDA DeNICOLA
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — In a small clearing that looks out over Lake Topanemus, Pond Road, one of Freehold Township’s most active volunteers will be honored with a reflection garden in the park she valued so much.
A dedication ceremony for the Jean DeCicco Levine Reflection Garden at Lake Topanemus park will take place on Sept. 25. There will be a brief ceremony at 11 a.m., rain or shine, to recognize DeCicco Levine’s volunteer efforts and her passion for Lake Topanemus park, which is a collaboration between Freehold Township and Freehold Borough.
DeCicco Levine, 62, died on April 13, 2003 at CentraState Medical Center. She was a community volunteer and an active member of the Lake Topanemus Commission. The commission has planted trees and flowers, placed benches and cleared a garden area in her memory.
The dedication will unveil a plaque detailing DeCicco Levine’s service to the community and environment, said Joseph J. Ferdinando, a member of the Lake Topanemus Commission.
“Many people worked together to make the reflection garden a reality,” Ferdinando said, noting that the garden was built with the help of DeCicco Levine’s husband, Ron Levine, her family, Freehold public works employees, the Freehold Area Running Club, Lake Topanemus Commission Chairman Roger Kane and the commissioners, community volunteers and high school students.
“Jean touched many lives and many people worked [on] the garden in her honor. One of Jean’s favorite trees happened to be redbuds. Ten redbud trees were planted to honor Jean’s memory,” Ferdinando said.
Freehold Township Mayor Dorothy Avallone said she and DeCicco Levine were good friends who had known each other for almost 30 years.
Noting that DeCicco Levine lived on Robertsville Road, Avallone said, “The park was her neighbor. If something was wrong, or if something was good, she would report it. There was no chore that she would say took too much time. She gave so much of herself and was a tireless worker for Lake Topanemus. She served on the Lake Topanemus Commission for many, many years. She never failed to send me the minutes of every single meeting.”
Patrick Preston, who served with DeCicco Levine on the commission for 10 years, said she had made a lasting impression on him.
“She was an original member of the commission when it was formed in 1978 and she was the heart and soul of this volunteer group. She was the definition of a true community volunteer as she led by example without ever seeking recognition. Her passing left a big hole that we will never be able to really fill, but her inspiration gives us the resolve to continue the work that she started,” Preston said.
DeCicco Levine was born in Bergenfield and was a resident of Freehold Township for 35 years. The township purchased her 10-acre property on the east side of Robertsville Road in May. The property adjoins Lake Topanemus and land at East Freehold Road and Route 79 that the township is developing as Opatut Park. Most the tract will be used for open space and recreational purposes.
DeCicco Levine, who was a nurse for many years, owned the Country Tutor Nursery School in Freehold Township before retiring from that business in 1976.
She held many volunteer positions. She was an executive assistant and chairwoman of the annual gala for the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, and was an 18-year member of the board of trustees of the YMCA, where she served on and chaired many committees. She was chair of the Ann May School of Nursing alumni scholarship committee, and a member of several committees for that organization.
In addition, DeCicco Levine was a former member of the Freehold Township Drug and Substance Abuse Committee and former co-chair of the Freehold Township Republican Election Committee. She was a canal tender at the Delaware Canal, Pennsylvania, a commissioner of the Lake Topanemus Commission, and served on the Monmouth County Environmental Council.
She was also a member of many historical and conservation societies in the region. She was awarded the YMCA of Western Monmouth County’s Distinguished Service Award in 1972, the association’s fund-raising award in 1978 and a 10-year recognition award from CentraState Medical Center.