Remembering Elanor Cato A Friend to All

By Ashley Ball Simpson '58, Beauvoir Librarian

Elanor Cato’s many years of teaching at Beauvoir, 44 to be exact, might well be tribute enough to define her extraordinary contribution to this school. However, time alone does not account for the legacy she left. Her generous personality; her calm, skillful, and steady teaching; the welcome sparks of humor; and her love of students and the work of teaching them remain vivid in the minds of those who knew her. Her legacy is very much a part of the everyday process of teaching, inspiring, and caring for individual students. These were skills that Elanor had in abundance.

Elanor was a quiet sage who brought extraordinary leadership to her many roles at Beauvoir. She was a quintessential teacher, mentor to many younger educators, and an administrator when called upon to fill that role. Anne Marie Desaulniers, one of the many teachers for whom Elanor was a mentor, remembers entering Elanor’s classroom and searching for her. Her eyes lighted upon Elanor settled on the floor in the block corner placing a few blocks as the beginning of a structure and inviting her young students to continue the process of building. All the while she would observe and note, gaining insight about her small charges. Elanor’s gentle, intentional engagement infused all parts of the learning day. She embarked on exploring a pattern by setting out a few colored tiles and seeing what the pattern would become as children began to explore on their own. Mess was not a problem to Elanor. She reveled in her students’ use of easels, paints, Play-Doh, blocks, manipulatives, and even cooking. She led the cooking project, but each student had a chance to do the work of mixing and measuring, experiencing the fun and complexity of bringing a recipe to life.

Teachers newer to the profession who worked with Elanor would learn by watching her actions, watching her teach, as well as learning from Elanor’s direct instruction. One such colleague, Mary Ann Bliss, remembers Elanor’s impact. Her reflections are powerful and give insight as to what it was like to teach with Elanor. “When I first started at Beauvoir 33 years ago, I walked into a kindergarten classroom and Elanor greeted me with a big, beautiful smile. ‘Welcome,’ she said, ‘You’re going to really love it here at Beauvoir.’ I was a first-year teacher, and Elanor took me under her wing. She provided me with a variety of teaching tools, the opportunity to collaborate on lessons, and advice on how to gain a deep understanding of each student as an individual. One of the most important aspects of Elanor’s teaching was her love for math. She opened my eyes to how math could be incorporated into any part of the kindergarten curriculum. ‘Math is all around us,’ she said. ‘You just need to know how to find it.’ I developed a love for math that I never had before because Elanor helped me see how ‘everyday’ math leads to student success.”

When children were in the room, Elanor was always among them, sitting next to them, interacting with them, quietly moving from group to group. Her presence was calming, reassuring, and gave structure and security to the school day. Elanor’s close observation of each student gave her insight as to how each child learned and what support, encouragement, or guidance each child needed. This is perhaps why so many of her former students remember her so vividly and with such affection in adulthood and why they would come back to visit years after leaving Beauvoir. Elanor was always intent on each child and what they needed as growing learners.

Families also remember Elanor with affection and appreciation. Anne and Drew Mackay reflect on the time their son spent with Elanor: “When our youngest son was in Mrs. Cato’s Pre-Kindergarten classroom, her calm, steady presence brought us such joy and ease when we left our child in her hands every day. Her warm, bright smile coupled with a jovial and loving welcome always made for a positive start to his day. He loved Mrs. Cato and we did, too.”

Missy and Don Campbell also felt a strong connection with Elanor when she taught their son. “Elanor Cato was such a lovely person and had a lasting impact on our family. At exactly the right time, Mrs. Cato provided guidance, love, wisdom, care, and a deeply nurturing spirit. The strong, positive influence she had was immediately apparent and lasting, and has continued on in the ensuing years. We remember her so fondly and still talk about her at home with admiration and appreciation. We greatly appreciated her deeply grounded faith, and have felt dear Elanor’s spirit with us on more than one occasion. We will always be appreciative of the love and nurturing she brought to Beauvoir and hold her in the highest esteem as the best example of what a true teacher can be."

Elanor was a voracious reader, and her love of literature was well represented in her classroom. She would visit the library often and return to her classroom with a new armful of books to share with her students. Reading was important, and Elanor seamlessly wove that into each school day.

Elanor’s impact was felt not just in the classroom. She went where she was most needed. She taught Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, briefly led the early childhood division as director, served as the faculty representative on Beauvoir’s Governing Board, participated in strategic planning, and participated in head of school searches. She worked at open houses and served on curriculum committees. Elanor and her close friend, Maura Burke, were the first faculty representatives on the Outreach Committee, which eventually evolved into the current Mosaic Professional Development Committee. Her institutional memory and years of experience combined with her knowledge, teaching skills, and insight made her a valuable member of each team. She represented Beauvoir well and her love for the School was an integral part of all she did.

Part of her love for the School was centered in her love of the Cathedral Close. She felt a deep appreciation for the Close and for being a member of the Close community. Elanor experienced the Close not just as a teacher but as a parent as well. Her two sons attended Beauvoir and then went on to attend St. Albans School. She was extraordinarily happy that they, too, had the Cathedral Close as a part of their lives. Her faith as an Episcopalian greatly influenced how she lived. Although active and committed to her role in her parish church, her deep faith became a part of her life at Beauvoir and within the Cathedral community.

Elanor was a dear friend to so many Beauvoir colleagues, past and present. She valued the friendships she formed and demonstrated her affection in so many small but significant ways. Her ready smile or quiet glance signaled her ability to immediately celebrate or commiserate with the mood of a colleague. At times she would just place her hand on that of a colleague or friend in quiet recognition of shared thoughts and experiences. During faculty retreats she was an exuberant participant in group activities but equally happy taking a quiet walk with a colleague. She kept friendships alive even when a colleague moved on to another school or new area of work. Elanor remained devoted to her circle of friends, supporting and caring and enjoying time spent with those she knew.

She is missed, but her presence is still felt at Beauvoir. We appreciate her many contributions to Beauvoir's traditions and will continue to value her lasting legacy and its impact on Beauvoir’s exciting view for the future.

Elanor was a dear friend to so many Beauvoir colleagues, past and present. She valued the friendships she formed and demonstrated her affection in so many small but significant ways.