In an oftentimes moving ceremony Saturday at the town beach, the Bromfield/Acton-Boxborough rowing team dedicated three boats to three individuals who shared a common characteristic: a generous spirit. Following a tradition among crew teams, donors shared stories about the people behind the new boats’ names.
Jessie Peterson was well-known to many in town before she died in a tragic tree accident in 2009. Two of Jessie’s friends, Bromfield juniors Mary Egan and Jackie Sampson, recalled her always positive, always giving nature. The “Jessie Peterson” was donated by the Bare Hill Rowing Association.
“Nelson Gildersleeve” would have been just a name on a boat to most rowers, until Allan Edwards described the mentor and father-figure Gildersleeve had been to him and to hundreds of others. By listening and giving of himself, Edwards said, Gildersleeve helped others grow in character and trust their own judgment.
Vijaya MacClean dedicated “The Purple Butterfly,” a gift from her and her family, to her sister Vanessa Grant who died of cancer at age 14. Described as a child who was always more concerned with everyone else than herself, Vanessa loved purple and asked her sisters to give her oncologist a purple polka-dot bowtie when she died, one he still wears when treating patients.
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From left, Tyler Borton, Eric Peterson, Beck Peterson, Jackie Sampson, Mary Egan, and Betsy Peterson pose in front of a boat dedicated in memory of Jessie Peterson. (Courtesy photo)
