Donor Spotlight: Bill and Lynn Ondrey Gruber '73

Coming from a mostly blue-collar community with little economic, religious, or racial diversity, Lynn credits Laurel for opening her eyes to new ideas, life options and career paths. She came to Laurel in Ninth Grade thanks in large part to a scholarship grant from a generous donor. Living in Brecksville, Lynn was able to go home on the weekends, but happily remained a “dormie” with soon-to-be lifelong best friend Paula Hedges Bell ’73 during the week.

Her Laurel education helped widen her perspective on the world as she enjoyed a broad range of classes like Mrs. Hines’ art history class, Ms. Lackner’s Spanish class, and Mr. Upton’s world religion class. Thoughtful and engaged teachers helped inquisitive young women like Lynn and her classmates push their boundaries and expand their world of possibilities. Now, Lynn and her husband, Bill, want to give back and help make a life changing Laurel education possible for others.

The Grubers recently established The Ondrey Gruber Family Giving Fund in “honor of Lynn’s sister, Sharon Ondrey, an English teacher and an amazing soul, who died too young of breast cancer.” Specifically, they wish to provide an opportunity to Latina girls who might consider Laurel, as a way to also honor their own children whom they adopted from Colombia and all the children and young adults in Cleveland’s Latino community with whom they have worked for more than 30 years.

Lynn and Bill made this generous decision to help as Laurel works to “develop in each girl the analytical, intellectual and moral tools they’ll need to wisely make their many decisions ahead...to live a meaningful, productive and happy life.” And, while the lucky recipients may no longer have the need to “sneak stuff past Timber, the housemother,” as Lynn and Paula tried and tried (unsuccessfully, she notes!), may they find the similar joy and happiness dancing, singing, and living amongst “these dear walls.”

We are deeply grateful to Lynn and Bill for their thoughtful generosity in support of the next generation of Laurel girls! Thanks to devoted alumnae like Lynn, and those who came before, Laurel continues to provide a strong foundation upon which girls build their bright futures.