Mayor Elaine Phillips view the memorial plaque and Morning
Glory Maple planted in honor
of Karen Reichenbach
A special memorial was unveiled to residents of the Incorporated Village of Flower Hill, dedicated to Karen Reichenbach, a former village trustee who was passionate about the environment and, in particular, trees.
Mayor Elaine Phillips spoke fondly of Reichenbach, who passed away on April 5 of this year after an extended battle with cancer. “I cannot think of a better person to celebrate than our trustee Karen Reichenbach. We lost a valued trustee who was a strong advocate for our residents and a staunch supporter of our environment.”
The Reichenbach’s lived in the village for 23 years. In attendance at the ceremony were her husband Herb and two daughters Samantha and Jenna, along with Reichenbach’s mother, Ruth Lawrence.
“Karen was our representative on the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee and chaired our tree committee,” said Phillips. “She was instrumental in Flower Hill being designated as a Tree City USA with the National Arbor Day Foundation. During her tenure as chairwoman of the tree committee, 265 new trees were planted in the Village of Flower Hill.
“Karen was a colleague and a friend. I can truly say that I am a better mayor and more so I am a better person from knowing Karen,” said Phillips.
A Morning Glory Maple tree was planted in her honor along with a plaque commemorating her and the staunch support she had for the environment.
