Students, parents and staff gathered outside Central School after school on Oct. 28 to pay tribute to Anita “Jeanie” Kustok and dedicate a memorial to the former teacher, who was murdered in September, allegedly by her husband.
During a ceremony featuring eulogies from two students and a parent, songs from the District 96 choir and two of her colleagues, District 96 Superintendent Jonathan Lamberson and the PTO co-presidents from Central School dedicated the reading circle in front of Central School in memory of Kustok.
“It was a very meaningful dedication ceremony,” Lamberson said.
After opening remarks by school officials and a moment of silence, the District 96 choir sang “Fairest Lady,” followed by two short reflections by students Nick Jepson and Caitlin Lieggi.
“She was one of those people you loved the minute she walked in and smiled,” Jepson said. “I will never forget that calm and loving smile. It always lit up the room.”
According to Lieggi, “I remember she would call everyone Miss or Mister. She called me Miss Caitlin. When she did this I felt important and filled with confidence. She always had a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.”
The district also compiled a scrapbook and video, which will be given to Kustok’s two children, Zak and Sarah, who were unable to attend the event.
On Oct. 26, a Cook County grand jury indicted Allan J. Kustok on first-degree murder charges. Allan Kustok has denied killing his wife; police believe Allan Kustok shot his wife once in the head while she slept.
He will be arraigned at the Bridgeview courthouse on Nov. 18.