Page 43 - 2017-18 Annual Report

ST. BENEDICT SOCIETY
The St. Benedict Society recognizes those who make Planned Gifts and bequests to Woodside Priory School. The Society recognizes this special form of philanthropy and the following members with gratitude.*
Anonymous (3) Barbara and Douglas Ayer Cynthia Bayne-Davison and Wayne Davison Gregory and Patricia Bonfiglio Charles E. Maria Living Trust Philip Chu ’96
Jeffrey Congdon ’62 Marcia and Paul Cook Fran Dempsey
Dr. Klara Fetter Estate Lisa and James ’82 Dugoni Jo and Ted Dutton Francesca Eastman and Edward Goodstein Susan Falaschi
Diana and Dominique Filloux Dianne and John Fisher Linda and Richard Frasch The Gambetta Family Estate Philip Golden ’76
* As of June 30, 2018
Leaving a Legacy: Ruth Benz
Susan and David Hafleigh
The Harold Harvey Estate
The Joseph Hilbe ’62 Estate Saila and Vinod Kariat
Joan and John McGraw
The Robert Miller Estate Susan and Dean Miller
Tim Molak
Lisa and Hank Plain
Nancy Rodgers
Leslie and Alexander ’78 Schilling Dale Schwab
Marianne Stoner Katharina and George ’76 Stromeyer Irina and James ’73 Szabo Roderick Tayler ’77
The Mary Alice Thornton Estate Jackie and James Tornes
The Matilda Wilbur Estate Peggy and Al Zappelli
“What a wonderful life I have experienced at Priory,” Ruth Benz wrote to faculty and staff in the spring of 2018 in a message announcing her retirement. “There is no other school like it, I am convinced.” Arriving at Priory in 2001, Ruth had been considering retirement before being asked to become Priory’s department chair for foreign language. Soon after, she became Priory’s new teacher coordinator, a position that she loved. Most of Priory’s current faculty was mentored by Ruth. She remembers serving on the Headmaster’s Council, lending her leadership to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation process, and providing advice and organization to faculty on graduation day, particularly related to academic robes.
Ruth credits one of Priory’s strengths as the traditions that have been established and the mission of the school. “Teaching at a mission-based school is so meaningful because you do see the school’s mission played out everyday. This school is unique because even for a stranger coming on campus, it’s so evident that hospitality and community are so paramount.”
Theology teacher Mary Carroll shares about Ruth, “the only thing greater than her sunny spirit is her heart. She has the capacity to empathize with anyone, from coworkers to middle schoolers, addressing concerns with compassion and wisdom.” Ruth’s favorite words to new faculty members? “You’ll never have a teaching job as wonderful as Priory, it’s so unique.”
WOODSIDE PRIORY SCHOOL 41