LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Unity Elementary is honoring a late teacher in a special way.
A plaque of Ashley can now be found on the wall in front of the library named in her honor.
Ashley Jennings-Macklin, a 2006 graduate of Lima Senior High School and standout athlete, returned to Lima City Schools to teach preschool for 13 years until her passing in 2022. On Thursday evening, Unity Elementary dedicated the school’s library in her name. The Ashley Jennings-Macklin Memorial Library will continue her legacy and serve as a space for children to learn in her memory.
"This school was her everything like her, these kids that she worked with were her everything. When COVID hit, she was so sad that she couldn't be here every day to see these kids. So to know that this is her lasting legacy, is the people that came through this door, she would be completely honored. This is exactly how she would want to be remembered. Every time somebody goes to get a book or to go sit in a library, they have her and they have her memory," said Kim Jennings, Ashley's sister.
"She really did put her heart and soul into every kid that she met, and just her compassion and love for her. It wasn't a job for her, it was a lifestyle, and so this is awesome that she's able to still live on with every continuous child that goes through here," said Samantha Thiemens, Ashley's best friend.
A plaque of Ashley can now be found on the wall in front of the library named in her honor.
