Lewes meeting room renamed for Bonnie Osler

Bonnie Osler, a former Lewes councilwoman who died in November 2024, will be honored with her name on the meeting room she secured for the city.

Mayor and city council unanimously approved a resolution June 9, renaming the large meeting room at the Margaret H. Rollins Community Center as the Bonnie Osler Meeting Room.

Osler led the effort to acquire the larger room, because she thought council chambers were too small to accommodate everyone who should be heard. The space is used for council and committee meetings, public hearings and special events.

Osler was a member of council from 2012 to 2021. She also served as deputy mayor and ex officio on the city’s planning commission and historic preservation architectural review commission.

She was involved in many other council committees and projects through the years.

Former Councilman Dennis Reardon served with Osler for eight years. Mayor Amy Marasco had him read the renaming resolution. Reardon became emotional when he spoke of his friend, colleague and mentor.

“When we went through the process of leasing the old library, it was Bonnie who said we needed to save the east wing for a meeting room,” Reardon said. “That’s what started the whole thing, and now we have this lovely room, and I don’t want it forgotten that she’s the one who created this for the city.”

Reardon said the Rollins family is 100% on board with renaming the room.

Osler’s spouse, Brook Hedge, also spoke on Osler’s behalf.

“She’s up there, mad, because she’s too humble, but this means a lot,” Hedge said.

A dedication ceremony will be held at the Rollins Center meeting room in the fall.

“This is testimony to the work of council and the importance of what we do, and those who have visionary actions. How important that room is. I can’t image where we would meet to do all the things we do,” Marasco said.

Marasco said officials will look for other naming opportunities around the city.