PROFILES
T H E M AGA Z I N E O F G I L L S T. B E R N A R D’S S C H O O L
Rising to the Challenge: Mary Louise McGraw Breitenbach GS ’54 By Mary Louise McGraw Breitenbach GS ’54 and Chanelle Walker While Mary Louise McGraw Breitenbach GS ’54, who prefers to be called Lou, graduated from Miss Gill’s School* more than 60 years ago, she speaks of her time there with surprising clarity. Breitenbach reflects on her years at the school as a pivotal time and confesses it was life-changing, teaching her skills she carries with her—and cherishes—to this day. Breitenbach faced a dead-end in her adolescent years as a result of growing up in an abusive household, and had become very destructive. Her paternal grandfather and the school’s founder, Elizabeth Gill, believed they could save her. “She not only took me in against heavy odds, but she created a safe environment for me to grow and learn through her gentle style of coaching,” Breitenbach said. “She believed every girl could be taught and a hunger for knowledge could be created.” The intimate environment of the school was exactly what Breitenbach needed. She was one of eight members of her class, including five boarders and three day students, with whom she developed lifelong friendships. In addition to finding healthy relationships, Breitenbach thrived in the classroom with the help of her teachers. Looking back, she recalled, “I felt constantly cared about, which provided me with the ability to succeed. It was a wonderful time in my life and eventually led to my first job working for the St. Bernard’s School’s former headmaster, John Durward.” She added, “I taught riding on Junie Hockenbury’s wonderful roan gelding, Thane, and other horses.” Breitenbach’s time spent in Gladstone was full of rich and memorable experiences and lessons learned during these years have proven invaluable. Following high school, Breitenbach attended Russell Sage College in Troy, NY where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1958. After completing her degree, she was given an opportunity to participate in Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference as a contributor. Then, in December, she gave birth to fraternal twins—Douglas, a boy, and Cary, a girl. She made the difficult decision to give them up for adoption in order to ensure a better life for both. Happily, they have since been reunited. Mary Louise McGraw Breitenbach (first row, middle) with the seven other members of The Gill School Class of 1954, Mary Jane Weed de la Garza,* Carol Drysdale Misdom, Patricia King Goff, Anne Reynolds Mayles, Elisabeth Ruperti Rittenhouse, Catherine Battaglia and Barbara Arend Sudlow.* (*deceased)
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*From 1937 to 1953, The Gill School was referred to as Miss Gill’s School in the Mendham Hills. Upon Elizabeth Gill’s retirement in 1953, the name of the school was changed to The Gill School. It later merged with St. Bernard’s School in 1972 to become Gill St. Bernard’s School.