Remembering Ann Ostella

On Wednesday, Feb. 5th about a dozen people gathered just outside the main entrance to O’Grady’s Pantry in memory of Ann Ostella. The occasion was a ribbon cutting ceremony on a “Little Free Library” that has been mounted just to the left of the entry door in memory of Ann.  She was a long time resident of Leavenworth and for several years she worked with the Upper Valley Museum as the coordinator. Ann was also a regular member of the morning coffee group that gathered around the fireplace in O’Grady’s several days a week. 

          With Ann’s passing near the end of October, the coffee group started talking about what a valued member of the town she was and trying to think of some way to keep her memory alive. One idea that came up in the discussion was of a “Little Free Library” placed somewhere in Leavenworth. Fortunately for the group, Debra Hartl, a member of the Sleeping Lady staff, was in the area and heard the ongoing discussion. She said it sounded like a great idea and that it could possibly be located at or near O’Grady’s Pantry. Elmer Larsen said he would build the library if the project was approved.

          Elmer attended the next Sleeping Lady staff meeting where the idea was presented and received feedback from the board on some design concepts for the Library. From the staff meeting the decision was made to focus on Ann and not the town. The resulting design was a “library” in the shape of a book and the book title states “Museums & Books, Both Tell Stories”.  There is a window below the title intended to entice any passer-by to see what book are available. Three images are displayed on the front adjacent to the window. One depicts the hands of a women (Ann) holding her coffee cup. Another is an image of a ski jumper (Ann’s Husband Clarence), and the last was an image of a lumberjack (Ann’s father “Woody” Ellis.)

         With approval the “Little Free Library” was built, along with a hand carved board located just above the library that says “In Memory of Ann Ostella”.

At the ribbon cutting, Paula Helsel said some very kind words about how well loved Ann was by everyone she came in contact with. Melissa Osborne, a long time friend of Ann’s, did the ribbon cutting. After that, folks that brought books to donate placed them in the library. Even Elmer’s three year old granddaughter came up and placed three of her books in the library.

Everyone agreed that Ann would have loved this “Library” concept because she was such a people person. Now every time a local resident or a one of the coffee group goes to O’Grady’s they will be reminded of Ann Ostella.