Greenacres Says Goodbye to Linda Zayac

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room at the reception to honor Linda Zayac for sixteen wonderful years at the Greenacres School. Students and parents of all ages gathered to honor Zayac who has been the friendly face behind the desk in the office for as long as anyone can remember. Many students started their day hearing Zayac call “Good Morning Greenacres,” while she juggled forgotten lunches, mislaid homework and calmed frantic parents. Confident and capable, Zayac had a way of making everyone feel welcome, from prospective parents touring the school to old timers who returned to Greenacres to see her familiar face.

At the reception, Greenacres PTA President Kathleen Campbell said Zayac was “loved by all,” and delivered Zayac her final report card, telling Zayac that she is “excellent in all that [she does].” Former Greenacres PTA President Karen Ceske credited Zayac with “inestimable grace, brightness and energy,” and said that she was a friend and confidante to the parents of Greenacres. She announced a fitting gift to the school to be made in Linda’s name, and showed a rendering of a lit welcome lantern that will be hung outside the school to illuminate the way. The light will call to mind Zayac’s warmth, radiance and shine on the school in the years to come. Greenacres artist and mother Jessica Goldman drew a beautiful rendering of the light at the school, which was framed and presented to Zayac. Visibly moved, Zayac said, “For the first time in my life, I am speechless.”

But that was not all. Melissa Boxer and Lisa Hassan announced another surprise -- 179 Greenacres parents had contributed to a retirement trip for Zayac, giving her an all expense paid vacation in Mexico's Riviera Maya.

Surrounded by a few hundred children, parents and teachers, Zayac gave hugs and goodbye kisses and everyone enjoyed refreshments and a large goodbye cake.

As a Greenacres mom myself, I honor her for her service to our community. The school will be hard pressed to fill her shoes.