Mrs. Flores had an unusual entrée into the school. She was first the parent of two students here. She spent several years as a teacher at another school, later topped by almost 20 years as an assistant principal at PS/MS 95.

During this time of mourning, faculty and staff reflected on Mrs. Flores’ influence on the school as well as on them, personally. Retired teacher, Beth Klewan, who taught Mrs Flores’ children many years ago, reflected, “Omara was dedicated to the staff, students and her family, and she treated people as if they were part of her family.” She added, “She embodied all that anyone could want in an educator and in a human being.”

Secretary, Cecily Ginel, used to notice that Omara was always welcoming to all students, saying, “She always made time, no matter how busy she was, to see how you were doing.” Teacher, Isobel Prieto, added, “She had such a pretty smile.”

Paraprofessional, Liz De Jesus, who worked with Mrs Flores in the bilingual program cried as she said, “Omara was an incredible human being. The humanity she had within her just poured out.” She added, “It was a privilege for me to know that I was on hand to work with her and the bilingual children.”

Mrs. Flores was as important to the students. Eighth grader, Iris Reyes, who sang “See You Again,” at the memorial service, knew her well, as did many students, describing her as being “like a mom,” and added, “she brightened everyone’s day.” Meanwhile, graduate, Skyla Perez, who sang “A Million Dreams,” at the service reiterated that sentiment, saying, “She was always there to talk [to], and to encourage you to be the best version of yourself you could be!”

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the faculty, teacher, Nick Merchant, confirmed definitively that the heart and soul of the school community was suffering. “But, [we] will continue to try to emulate her high standards, her excellence and her wisdom,” he said.

Addressing the assembled PS/MS 95 family during the memorial service, fellow assistant principal, Eileen Rivera, shed tears as she remembered her late colleague. “While it was a difficult loss, we want to focus on what she left for us: her unmatched poise and grace, her sense of calm to get us through challenges, her humility, and her ability to always know what to do,” she said. “She showed us how to live, by example.”

During the service, Ryan, Amanda and Elvin, Mrs Flores’ son, daughter and husband, respectively, recounted personal vignettes about the sacrifice, commitment and hard work for which their mom/wife was known. Elvin immersed the audience in the young couple’s past when he spoke of them as struggling newlyweds, brought together by adversity and by their steadfast love. “We planned the whole second half of our lives together….and now she’s gone,” he said sadly. The poignancy of his words was only matched by the family’s deep loss.

In addition to being an accomplished and successful teacher, administrator and first-rate mother, Omara was also a devoted daughter, taking responsibility for her own mother’s well-being in her mother’s later years.

Beautiful new plantings of pink rhododendron will grace the entrance to the school as a beautiful reminder of both Mrs Flores’ influence and of her humanity.