Family and friends break ground on Jill Butler Lares Storybook Garden | Community Spirit

Family, friends, and former colleages broke ground Monday on the Jill Butler Lares Storybook Garden at Monrovia Elementary School.

Jill taught 3rd grade at Monrovia Elementary School. She died in August of last year after 7 year battle with cancer.

The garden is planned for the courtyard at the school and will feature books that Jill enjoyed teaching and as a child.

Monrovia Elementary Students gathered in the gymnasium Monday morning for the groundbreaking ceremony. Jill's husband Damon was one of the guest speakers. He told students the best way to honor Jill's memory would be to keep learning. He told the crowd teaching was one of Jill's greatest loves.

Jill's parents, husband, sister and other family members attended the program.

Jill is the daughter of former State Senator Tom Butler.

You can keep up with the progress of the Jill Butler Lares Storybook Garden through a blog created by some of her fellow teachers.