2 Little Free Libraries Honor Memory Of Beloved Teacher

JAMESPORT, NY — Friends who loved her have worked to create a lasting memory honoring the forever legacy of beloved kindergarten teacher Keri Lynn Stromski, 48, who died on April 6 after a fierce battle with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer.

The Matwey and Maki families worked to create two Little Free Libraries in Keri's honor, Mary Maki said; her husband John built the libraries. One is located at the Pulaski Street Elementary School and another will soon stand at Aquebogue Elementary School, where Keri taught.

"We wanted to do something that would continue her love of two things, students of Riverhead and reading," Maki said.

Students can take a book or leave a book whenever they want, she said.

Keri's husband Rob and her children Maddie, Morgan, and Quinn approved the project, Maki said. "We know Keri would have, too. We had a saying: 'Kids first'. We love and miss you Keri — every day. "

Maki said the public should feel free to add books anytime. "We would love to have it full as much as possible."

Keri, Maki said, hosted reading nights and book swaps during the summer at local beaches to encourage kids to keep reading.

The Matwey family donated the signs, she said. Ally Matwey and she were Keri's close friends, Maki said. "This is just a small way we can keep her memory alive in the school she loved. . . This Little Free Library is always open."

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 — Keri Stromski was a bright light of love for the many who blossomed under her tutelage.