Beloved Teacher Celebrated On 1st Birthday Without Her

JAMESPORT, NY — On what would have been her 49th birthday, the many who will love Keri Lynn Stromski forever will gather this week to raise funds for a memorial bench in her honor.

Stromski, a beloved kindergarten teacher from Jamesport, died on April 6 after a fierce battle with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, leaving a trail of tears so far and wide that all of Riverhead seemed to be weeping.

Stromski made headlines around the world in March when one of her kindergarten students, whom she'd been instructing virtually, made a "hug machine" along with his family so that his favorite teacher could hug again, something she'd been missing so much. The story went viral and suddenly, the world knew something Riverhead had known all along — Stromski was a bright light of love for the many who blossomed under her tutelage.

According to Keri Hoyt, an event is planned for the Long Ireland Running Club at the Long Ireland Beer Company, located at 817 Pulaski Street, this Wednesday and on Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m.

"We will gather to celebrate and remember Riverhead’s own Keri Stromski, a life well-loved," organizers said.

A $5 donation is suggested for runners, walkers, and "prancers of all ages"; tutus encouraged in Keri's honor. Contributions may be sent via Venmo Keri-Hoyt-1 (please include a message). @tracyannoak will be collecting funds the day of. Funds raised will go towards a monument bench with an inscription at Iron Pier Beach.

A playground was created at Iron Pier Beach for Stromski earlier this year.

Iron Pier Beach held great meaning for Stromski, Hoyt said: "Iron Pier Beach was where she would put her feet in the water to find healing. It was where she had friends and family gather when she shaved her hair."

For Hoyt, the event is deeply meaningful.

"I've known Keri since our girls started kindergarten together. Two Keris and two Maddies," she said. "Then about eight years ago we both began our Crossfit journey. Hence the light-up tutus. We needed to light the streets when we would push a Jeep across the parking lot at 5 a.m."

Back in the day, Hoyt said Stromski would drive her children to Sayville to swim and she would bring hers to Miller Place for dance class.

Then, Hoyt started a run club at the Long Ireland Beer Company.

"Dan Burke and Greg Martin are amazing," she said. "They created an amazing brewery and are all about helping people and the community whenever they can. The run club is also comprised of people that started the Crossfit journey with Keri," she said.

Last year, during the group's "Friendsgiving Run" they asked Stromski and her husband Rob to join them; the Long Ireland and the "Hooligans" of the Long Ireland Run Club raised funds to donate to Stony Brook Cancer Center.

"Here we are again and the Hooligans are ready to help," Hoyt said.

On Halloween weekend, she went to visit the Wicklunds, Stromski's parents.

"Keri's birthday is November 16 and we, the Hooligans, wanted to do something special. It was Mr. Wicklund that shared the bench idea with me. The Town of Riverhead named the playground at Iron Pier after Keri. Keri's dad shared that it be wonderful to have a bench at the playground with an inscription that best describes Keri," she said.

The bench is meant for visitors, for friends, for family, "to be able to sit, reflect, and remember the little — and epic — things that make us smile, laugh, and love," she said.

Tutus will be available for all at the runs, Hoyt said.

Funds raised will be used for the monument bench with an inscription selected by the family.

The event will take place on two nights, the first to celebrate Keri's birthday and again on November 24 for the Friendsgiving Run.

Both nights, participants will leave the brewery promptly at 6 p.m. for a 5K route, which can be found on the RunGo App by searching "Long Ireland." All ages and all paces are welcome, Hoyt said.

"Keri has done so much for so many," Hoyt said. "She made everyone's world that much brighter. How great to be able to celebrate her legacy each and every day — especially these next two Wednesdays. And, to remind everyone to continue to live, laugh and dance as best we know how."

Hoyt added: "I miss her so, so much and it's the little things like this that keep me smiling."