Remembering

Carol Duhme, Class of 1929, Community School alumna award recipient and Life Member passed away on October 22, 2021 at the age of 104. Carol grew up in a family committed to service, philanthropy, and racial equity. In 2019, she was awarded the William H. Danforth Distinguished Alumni Award at Community School. In a video presentation that day she said, “I have been all my life a volunteer with different organizations. I like to work with organizations which help people have a better life.” Carol was a life-long philanthropist where she participated in the Joseph H. and Florence A. Roblee Foundation. She also served as board president for the YWCA and for the Family and Children's Service of Greater St. Louis. Carol served many years on the National Council of the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University and has countless honors from organizations for her work. Patricia Hecker, Class of 1934, Patricia Gamble Hecker, alumna, parent, Life Member, and past Board of Trustee, passed away peacefully at home on July 24, 2021. Patricia attended Community and John Burroughs Schools. She graduated cum laude from Vassar College in 1944 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and from Washington University in 1968 with a Master's Degree in Arts in Archaeology. Patricia and her husband, Harvard, had three children, all of whom attended Community School. Patricia spent her life serving and inspiring others. She was a drama teacher, a lecturer, and an early proponent of conservation. She and her husband served on the founding board of what is now the Endangered Wolf Center. She was a supporter of the arts and served on boards and committees at Community School; the Junior League of St. Louis; the Archeological Society, St. Louis Chapter; the St. Louis Art Museum; the St. Louis Science Center; the Opera Theatre of St. Louis; and the St. Louis Zoo. Patricia was awarded the Saint Louis Zoo Individual Award in 2016. In fall 2019, Patricia returned to Community School to accept the William H. Danforth Distinguished Alumni Award alongside several other alumni. The awards recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni.

Judy Tisdale, Class of 1952, Judith (Judy) Tisdale, alumna, parent, grandparent, Life Member, and longtime teacher at Community School, passed away peacefully at home on April 6, 2021 after several days in hospice. She was surrounded by her family, including her daughters

Carol Duhme. Photo credit: Murphy ’77 “The Chautauquan Daily.” and

’79. Judy was grandmother to Maggie Gosnell ’18. Judy was born in 1940 in St. Louis. She attended Community School, John Burroughs School, Wellesley College (B.A.), and Webster University (M.A.). She married in 1963, and she and her husband bought a house in Kirkwood, where they raised their daughters and where she lived until her death. She was a longtime member of Eliot Unitarian Chapel, where she served on many committees, including as Chair of the Board. Judy spent her entire working career as an elementary school teacher, first teaching in St. Louis City schools, then moving to Community School. At Community, she taught 4th grade, art, and science. Judy was a firm believer that an excellent education at a young age would allow anyone to succeed later in life. She brought this philosophy to more than a thousand children, including those in the Wellston schools where she volunteered after retirement. Many of our older alumni will have fond memories of Donna Rank, who taught P.E. for twenty-seven years at Community School. She passed away on April 13, 2021, at the age of 91. Martha Overcash, SK teacher, remembers Donna most of all for being completely unflappable, able to handle everything with a calm demeanor, and with a smile for everyone. Donna became a Life Member of Community School in 1996, following her retirement. She is survived by her two children, Andy Rank ’77 and Julie Rank Kiczenski ’75. Our sympathy goes out to them.

Patricia Hecker (center) with family at 2019 William H. Danforth Distinguished Alumni Award ceremony. Judy Tisdale introduced science students to Madagascar giant hissing cockroaches.

Donna Rank teaching cartwheels to a Senior Kindergarten student.