Bench, peace pole honor late local humanitarians
The Rotary Club of Zelienople on Sunday dedicated a memorial bench and peace pole commemorating two local humanitarians at the Zelienople Community Park.
Kathy Corcoran, the club's president, offered a eulogy to those huddled under a gazebo. The eulogy paid tribute and introduced two new nearby features, a bright red bench with a plaque and pole that reads “May Peace Prevail On Earth.”
Both the eulogy and the memorials were in honor of the late Tom and Marie Grant, and Corcoran shared a multitude of stories about and accolades for the pair, conveying the passion the couple shared for the Rotary club and its goals.
“Tom and Marie were the cornerstone of our club,” Corcoran said. “They were involved in practically every activity we did. We have waited six months to honor these two amazing humans.”
Tom Grant, who died Dec. 1, was a retired high school world cultures teacher and Rotary volunteer on many peace-building causes. He was a long-time ambassador for ShelterBox, a worldwide disaster relief organization. He worked to promote Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio, a disease that he contracted in his teens, throughout the world.“He was a very organized diplomatic leader,” Corcoran said. “His passion for End Polio and for ShelterBox was contagious.”Marie Grant, who died shortly after her husband on Dec. 20, was a private-practice psychologist. She supported humanitarian and other issues to help people.“Marie was probably the biggest cheerleader and ambassador our Rotary Club has ever had,” Corcoran said.Together, they educated other members and the public about ShelterBox, polio and other Rotary programs. They volunteered on local Rotary projects, such as providing scholarships for students and helping people in need.Corcoran said the memorial bench and peace pole now stand as a testament to their efforts, and anyone who visits the gazebo in the Zelienople Community Park can spend time and reflect on the Grants' lives and their dedication to world peace.“I know Tom and Marie are smiling down on us,” Corcoran said. “I know they would love seeing everyone together.”
