Last Friday, the Growing Tree Nursery School held a plaque ceremony to honor a former teacher, Tiffani Feldman, a Roslyn native who passed away in February of last year.

The plaque reads: "In loving memory of Tiffani Bea Feldman. Tiffani truly loved 'her kids,' and all the Growing Tree children loved Miss Feldman. We all feel so fortunate to have experienced and shared Tiffani's special gift. She will always be remembered."

"Even though Tiffani is gone, her soul will remain with us forever," said Growing Tree Director Dawn Friedman, during her emotion-filled presentation. "In the short time Tiffani spent at the Growing Tree, it became obvious that she truly possessed a special talent for working with small children. She was a good soul, who had a good soul, and all the children recognized that something special in Tiffani."

"This is not a sad day," added Tiffani's father, Steve Feldman. "This is a wonderful day. To pay Tiffani this tribute is a true honor, and to have her memory live on is a huge source of pride to Tiff and our family. We cannot adequately express our appreciation to The Growing Tree."

Tiffani was a 1994 graduate of Roslyn High School. Before her death, she worked as a babysitter for three families in the Roslyn area. She had also spent two years teaching at Growing Tree. At the ceremony, Tiffani's family recalled that it was her "extraordinary love of children that truly defined her life." Tiffani always worked hard to put a smile on a child's face, especially if, for whatever reason, that child found it hard to smile.

Following Tiffani's death from ovarian cancer at age 23, her family established The Tiffani Bea Feldman Children's Fund to help both needy children and children with cancer. Donations can be sent to LICF/Tiffani Bea Feldman Children's Fund, 1740 Old Jericho Turnpike, Jericho, NY 11753.