A new chapter in life

The last day of July meant the last day on the job for Mary Foster-Galasso as executive director of the Evangeline Parish Library.
Before Foster-Galasso began her retirement, a reception was held Tuesday at the main branch of the library in Ville Platte where she was honored by countless family members, fellow library staff members from around the state, as well as library patrons from around the parish.
She also received gifts from the library staff as tokens of their appreciation for her nearly two decades of service.
Among the gifts was a collection of children’s hand drawings that were sewn together to form a tapestry. “We wanted you to go home with a little piece of the library from way back,” said Outreach Director Suzy Lemoine. “We decided this needs to be hung in her new little she-shed where she will become a portrait painter of animals.”
“This was made when Mary was still involved in children’s programming,” Lemoine continued. “It’s a keep sake to hang on the wall.”
As outreach director, Lemoine then touted some of Foster-Galasso’s accomplishments during her nearly two decades on the job. “Mary came in with a vision,” said Lemoine. “Mary came in with organizational skills. Mary came in to bring calm to some chaos. She really affected the parish at all of the branches in some way, shape, or form.”
“All of the branch managers would collectively say that she has always supported our ideas; therefore, we are all in this together,” she continued. “Mary couldn’t have done this alone, and we couldn’t have done it without her.”
After Lemoine’s remarks, members of the library’s board of control presented Foster-Galasso with a new sign for the main branch’s multi-purpose room that now bears her name.
Incoming executive director Margie Mealer stated, “Mary has been great at trying to help me get ready for this. She makes it look easy and has done so many great things here.”