Playground Dedicated To LI's Beloved 'Hug Machine' Teacher, 'A Light'

JAMESPORT, NY — All who gathered Thursday by the beach on Long Island Sound, her favorite place, came to remember and celebrate Keri Lynn Stromski, a beloved kindergarten teacher who made headlines during the pandemic when one of her tiny students made a "hug machine" so she could embrace the ones she loved safely.

Stromski died at 48 in April, 2021 after a fierce battle with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer.

But, those who came to the playground's unveiling agreed that her bright light will shine on forever in the hearts of all who loved her, in the joy found in small children playing happily at the playground at Iron Pier beach, their laughter ringing in the wind.

Stromski taught at Aquebogue Elementary School; the dedication was held on Thursday.

In March, 2021 the "hug machine" 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.

Even during the pandemic when teaching pivoted to virtual, Stromski delighted her young charges with puppets and tutus, the magic of music and most of all, her unfettered love for each and every one of the children she imbued with knowledge and love.

Former Riverhead Town Councilman James Wooten began the ceremony and said that since Allan Wicklund and his wife Judy made the community their home, they've made a great impact, as has the Stromski family.

"Keri learned to hang out at Iron Pier Beach and learned what summer was all about," he said. "As long as we remember who she was, and what she meant to us, she will never be gone."

At the ceremony, her parents, Keri's husband Rob and children Madison, Morgan, and Quinn, as well as her sister Jill Kubetz and brother-in-law Jake, and brother Scott Wicklund, and their children, whom Stromski called her "sprites," all listened as one by one, those who spoke reflected on a woman who literally changed the lives of those she loved forever.

Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar said Stromksi was the embodiment of life "in our small town. She was a bright, shining light."

The playground, she said, will stand as a place to visit and remember, "where her light will continue to shine" and echo in the sound of children playing and in their bright smiles.

A plaque at the playground was surrounded by dozens of bright balloons brought by her friends.

New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio spoke as a mother, a friend who used to run into Stromski at Target and who watched Rob and Keri raise their kids, with Keri by their side, "every step of the way."

Stromski, she said, offered advice when Giglio's daughter was facing health challenges. "Keri was always there for everybody," Giglio said. "She continued to light the way for others, even though her own circumstances were dire."

Last year, Giglio sponsored a resolution for Stromski: "She's a part of history," she said.

Also in attendance were Riverhead Town Councilmen Ken Rothwell and Bob Kern, as well as Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski and former Riverhead Town Councilwoman Catherine Kent, who taught with Stromski and gave a heartfelt tribute to her colleague and friend.

Krupski said the ceremony was beautiful, a testament to what Stromski meant to the community and to the legacy she leaves.

Smiling, Kent said she found herself wondering what Keri would be doing if she were there. "Taking selfies, or hanging from the monkey bars. I think the answer is 'C,' doing both at the same time," she said.

Stromski, she said, is undoubtedly looking down at her family and beaming with pride.

"Keri never stopped being a cheerleader," a teacher who loved the Riverhead Central School District, "and gave you hell if you criticized anything about it. She didn't grow up here but she was a Blue Wave, through and through," Kent said.

Kent and Stromski met when they were both teaching at Roanoke Elementary School; Kent remembers her as "funny fun at a party and competitive, in a good way." The pair made forever memories during sack races and games of tug of war at school events.

"A consummate teacher, Keri took us along her journey with cancer," Kent said, writing in her blog "Faith Over Fear," to share her experiences and help others.

"Keri lived her life with joy and gusto," Kent said. Quoting poet Maya Angelous, Kent uttered words felt by so many about Keri: "'People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'”

Virginia Healy, who serves on the Riverhead Board of Education, said Stromski was honored with the title of "Educator of the Year" in 2013. "She was always about the kids, and our district," she said.

Aquebogue Elementary School Principal Bryan Miltenberg said he asked staffers and friends to fill in the sentence, "Because of Keri, ___." The answers brought smiles and tears. "Because of Keri I learned how to advocate for students." "I learned to see through the thorns to the roses." "Because of Keri, I remember to dance." "I hug my children a little more each day."

And, Miltenberg himself wrote, "Because of Keri I learned what it really means to be in kindergarten — seeing the magic in Room 15."

One of Keri's friends, Melissa, said Keri, "had a connection with everyone. She made you feel that you were the most special and held a place in her heart. It was a gift — a divine gift."

Keri, she added, had been her friend for years; they were in one another's weddings and had their children around the same times. She loved Iron Pier Beach, where she held book swaps, play dates with her kids, and where she gathered with friends, and with her husband and family, to mark life's milestones, she said. "This is her legacy," Melissa said "A place to put your feet in the water and smile."

She added the words the friends used when they ended every conversation: "I love you."

Melanie McEvoy, president of the North Fork Breast Health Coalition, spoke of her gratitude to Stromski for shining a light on the dire need for Stage IV metastatic breast cancer research and mentioned the new fund, the Keri Lynn Stromski Stage IV Breast Cancer Research and Support Fund, to honor her legacy.

Rob Stromski, Keri's husband, also spoke. At first, his was voice filled with tears. But, in a show of love and support that undoubtedly would have filled Keri's heart, her two daughters stood in unison and joined their father at the podium, hugging him and giving him the resolve to continue his speech.

A speech, he added with a smile, he hadn't known until the last moment that he'd be asked to give.

Rob said he was born and raised in Riverhead on Iron Pier Beach, a public beach, while his Keri grew up on the private beach. Somehow, the two met, and found shared dreams, and their love story was born.

And, after cutting the ribbon, the children ran to the new playground and immediately began to climb and smile, laughing with joy. At the same moment, the bright sunshine broke through the gray clouds, illuminating the beach — and hearts, as her husband and the many gathered agreed that Keri Lynn would have had it no other way.