The family of Mary Alice “Nan” Jussila, who was killed in a car accident on Nov. 8, 2001, gathered
Sept. 16 at Conneaut Local Youth Organization (CLYO) softball fields to dedicate a bench in her name. The bench was a gift from Jussila’s granddaughters, Mary Beth (Herb) Holdford and Kelly (Herb) Gaydosh, marking the 10th anniversary of Nan’s passing.
“Last fall, my sister and I discussed doing something special at CLYO in honor of the anniversary,” Holdford said. “I reached out to a high school friend, Sarah (Church) Wade, who put me in touch with CLYO President Jeff Myers. We agreed that a bench would be the best option, and Jeff worked with us to make it happen.”
On Nov. 8, 2011, at a family dinner in Nan’s honor, Holdford and Gaydosh surprised their parents, Chuck and Carol (Jussila) Herb, with their plans for the memorial bench. The bench, installed earlier this summer, is situated along the third base line at the girls’ softball field, Field #6, between homeplate and the dugout.
Nan, known as “Team Nana” and “#1 Fan” to all that knew her, loved cheering on the softball players, including
her two granddaughters. who played in CLYO leagues and for Conneaut High School from 1992 to 2000.
“It was fitting that we installed this bench at the exact location where her lawn chair always sat,” Gaydosh said. “We know if she was with us today, she would still be sitting there, cheering teams on.
“And now, in a way, she still is.”
Mary Beth, her husband Mike, and their two sons, Braden (4) and Matthew (1), along with Kelly, her husband Garett, and their daughter, Laina (2), all reside in Twinsburg. Chuck and Carol, of Conneaut, also have a home in Twinsburg where they plan to retire.
“With our busy lives, we don’t make it home to Conneaut as often as we’d like, especially at the same time,” Holdford said. “It was so nice to be together and visit a place that was so special to Nan and our families. We even let our kids play ball. We know Nan was smiling down on us, then and always.”
The plaque on the bench reads: “In memory of Mary Alice Jussila, Team Nana and #1 Fan. July 23, 1921 — November 8, 2001. May you still be cheering and high-kicking in Heaven!”
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