FARMINGTON – Nearly one year after the passing of local Head Start pioneer Gail Ouellette, friends, family and former coworkers paid their respects at a dedication ceremony on Friday afternoon.

Community Concepts’ newest children’s center, on Farm Town road, is now called the Gail A. Ouellette Children’s Center. Ouellette was involved with Head Start when it began in 1965 as a summer program, but eventually found herself as the program’s first director, serving for nearly 20 years. The program was the first of its kind in Franklin County.

The Head Start program helps children through educational programs, providing support for families, offering social programs, and by providing a health component.

Director of Children’s Services Deb Florenz said of Ouellette, “Not only was she dedicated to children and her family, but she was also a very fun-loving person.”

Also on hand was Ouellette’s daughter, Becky Wetherbee, who not only remembers the many home visits she attended with her mother, but also recalled her dedication to the job itself. “She’d be very tickled,” said the teacher.

With the new sign in the children’s center, Manager Jen France, who has been working with Head Start for six years, said she looks forward to continuing the service that Ouellette was so crucial in developing.

“This was a wonderful way to commemorate Gail’s passing,” said France.