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Lynnfield unites with lights for COVID-19 victims
By Anne Marie Tobin | March 30, 2020
LYNNFIELD — The Town of Lynnfield is showing its solidarity with those affected by the Covid 19 pandemic with a simple display of light on the Town Common.
The Lynnfield Board of Selectmen and Lynnfield Historical Society announced last week that the windows of the Meeting House will be decorated with electric candles in memory of the two Lynnfield residents who succumbed to coronavirus, as well as all citizens who have been adversely affected by the ongoing pandemic. The lights were installed on Friday morning.
“It is also the hope that these lights, shining from our historic town centerpiece, will be a symbol of strength, community and hope for all the residents of our town,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Phil Crawford.
One of those residents who died this week was Steven Richard. Richard, who was one of the first persons to test positive, was an active member of the Historical Commission and Historical Society, volunteering countless years maintaining and preserving the Meeting House. He was also active in many other capacities as a volunteer. He took great care, pride and joy, year after year, in setting up the lights in the Meeting House windows every holiday season for people to enjoy.
“On behalf of the Board of Selectman we recognize Steven and all those citizens that have passed or have been impacted by this global pandemic that has recently hit home, for all of us, in such a tragic way,” said Crawford. “It is so important that we join together as a community during these challenging times. Let these lights be a constant reminder of what has been lost and that together, as a community, we will support each other and we shall endure.”
The town has not released the name of the other victim.
Longtime Lynnfield resident Kristine Marengi said she drove by the Meeting House and was struck by how something so simple could be so meaningful.
“It’s an incredibly, beautiful tribute to Steve and his wife and just so meaningful,” said Marengi. “This has a way of bringing everyone in this town together to cope. The fact that we have lost two persons in such a small community is almost too much to even begin to process. But even though there is nothing much we can do for them except hope and pray for the family, I know the town will come together and be there for anyone going through tough times.”