Bishop Dunn Memorial School, founded in 1883, is proud of its tradition and commitment to the academic, spiritual, emotional, social and physical development of children, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. It is our philosophy that success, particularly at an early age, depends on the growth of a child’s confidence, self-esteem and stimulation of their inquisitive nature. Bishop Dunn Memorial School, on Mount Saint Mary College campus, offers a unique environment where children develop those qualities that form the basis for lifelong learning. Children are encouraged to learn by doing.
SPECIAL NOTICE
For any members of our school family or friends who are not yet aware of it, it is with deep sorrow that I must report the passing of Donna Hildreth, a long-time employee at Bishop Dunn, who died on Saturday, Dec. 22nd, of complications resulting from colon cancer. Donna has worked at Bishop Dunn since moving to the area from her hometown in Herkimer, NY, 19 years ago, and was greatly loved and admired by all those whose lives she touched. Donna was only recently diagnosed with cancer, but she showed great strength and faith in God in dealing with the disease in the last months of her life. I regret that I did not pass along news of her death sooner, but I was awaiting word from her family about funeral and memorial arrangements until now.
While Donna spent most of her years at Bishop Dunn working directly with our upper grade students, and we have been trying to contact as many of the parents of students in those grades by phone as possible, I wanted to give all our parents, especially those with younger children, an opportunity to talk about Donna's death with your families before school opens again on Wednesday, January 2nd. I will address her passing with all the students once school resumes. Sister Frances, our other staff members and our school counselor, Mrs. Molly Messima, will also be available to speak to any students who need additional individual comfort and counseling. We will be remembering Donna at our First Friday Mass at St. Mary's on Friday, Jan. 4th. Another Memorial Service is also being planned for Wednesday, Jan. 9th, at St. Mary's Church. The service will begin at 5 p.m. Additional details will follow. At her family's request, memorial donations can also be made in Donna's name to Bishop Dunn Memorial School or to the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence in Newburgh.
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