LIBERTY – A woman who helped spearhead the efforts of the Liberty Historical Society will be remembered with a special bench in her name, which has been placed inside the township administration building.

The society recently dedicated a bench for Carol Faustino, who served as president of the society. Faustino died in October 2013.

The granite bench includes her name as well an image of a cardinal, which her family said was her favorite bird.

Her daughter, Leslie Faustino-McGrath, said the family is very appreciative of the special honor.

“The bench is gorgeous. She was president of the historical society for a long time and loved being a part of this. It is such an honor,” Faustino-McGrath said.

She and her father, Fred Faustino, were among the family members at the unveiling.

“I am speechless. It is such an honorable tribute for such an amazing woman,” Faustino-McGrath said.

Among those who attended was Faustino’s great-granddaughter, Avalenna Faustino who was born five months ago, a week after Faustino’s death.

Fred Faustino said it “was a beautiful honor for her. There are no words to describe how nice it is,” he said.

The family said the bench remains in the lobby for anyone who comes to the administration building to see.

Historical society members said Faustino was very active, organizing many events and gathering historical items and materials for displays and programs held in the community.

All the money donated to the society in memory of Faustino was used to pay for the bench.

Faustino-McGrath said her father and her daughter, Casey Faustino, unveiled the bench during the dedication ceremony.

Faustino retired from the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office and had also worked at Home Savings and Loan, before retiring in 1986.

She was a member of the Mahoning Valley Olde Car Club ,often showing her car at events and in parades.

Faustino founded the Trumbull County Police Wives Association and was named Liberty’s Woman of the Year in 2008.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com