Rochester Prep Opened New Memorial Library
A new elementary school library on St. Jacob Street honors the legacy of former teacher Jaimie Magee Lesnick.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy
Rochester Prep has opened a new library at its St. Jacob Street elementary campus to help students explore their passions through reading. The space is dedicated to the memory of former teacher Jaimie Magee Lesnick.
Why it matters
The project serves as a tribute to Lesnick while providing students with a dedicated area to foster a love for literature. It marks the latest collaborative effort between the school and a nonprofit organization focused on supporting local children.
There are now three libraries across Rochester Prep schools dedicated to Jaimie Magee Lesnick, who was 30 years old when she passed away in 2020.
The players
Jaimie Magee Lesnick
She was a teacher at Rochester Prep who passed away at age 30 due to ovarian cancer.
Jaimie's Bridge
This nonprofit organization was founded by the Magee and Lesnick families to provide student scholarships and essential supplies.
Rochester Prep
This is an educational network that hosts schools in Rochester and collaborates on student-focused community projects.
The details
The library was established through a partnership between the school network and Jaimie's Bridge, a nonprofit founded by the Magee and Lesnick families. In addition to creating library spaces, the organization provides annual scholarships and essential supplies such as winter gear and school materials to students.
Timeline
Jaimie Magee Lesnick passed away in September 2020.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new library occurred on October 6, 2026.
Market Landscape
This opening follows a pattern set by community-led memorial initiatives that aim to sustain an educator's influence on students long after their tenure. Such projects represent a significant shift in how private nonprofit organizations and school networks integrate to bolster educational infrastructure.
Students at the St. Jacob Street location now have access to a dedicated space for reading and learning. Families supported by Jaimie's Bridge may also continue to benefit from the nonprofit's ongoing programs, which include scholarship opportunities and essential resource distribution.
The takeaway
Memorial projects like this can create lasting community benefits beyond a single tribute by fostering ongoing partnerships between families and schools. Supporters and local families can look for continued philanthropic engagement through the nonprofit's annual scholarship cycles.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to support education in Rochester Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHAM.
