{"id":7129,"date":"2017-11-13T11:18:01","date_gmt":"2017-11-13T17:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/?p=7129"},"modified":"2017-11-16T12:12:56","modified_gmt":"2017-11-16T18:12:56","slug":"remembering-connie-dorsey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/remembering-connie-dorsey\/","title":{"rendered":"Remembering Constance Murray Dorsey, ’36 \u2014 1914\u20122017"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ community mourns the passing of its oldest alumna, Constance “Connie” Dorsey, \u201936. Dorsey, a longtime St. Louisan, would have celebrated 103 years in December \u2014 nearly 40 years of which were dedicated to teaching young students. She pursued a meaningful life guided by her mantra: \u201cTreat every person as if they were the most precious person in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cConnie was a beloved teacher and an extraordinary person who educated thousands of St. Louis children during her career,\u201d says President Mark Lombardi. \u201cA good friend to Ä¢¹½´«Ã½, Connie actively attended many events and was a generous supporter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dorsey\u2019s first job was in a one-room schoolhouse. She also taught first grade for 27 years at St. Elizabeth\u2019s of Hungary in Crestwood, Missouri.<\/p>\n

\"Ä¢¹½´«Ã½\u201cWhat I liked best about teaching was that every day was a delight. I loved it,\u201d Dorsey told Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Magazine <\/em>in 2014.<\/p>\n

One of her former students, Thomas Boudreau, \u201973, is now chair of Ä¢¹½´«Ã½\u2019s Board of Trustees.<\/p>\n

Dorsey received the Centennial Award (now the Heart of Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Award) at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ in 2014. The recognition\u00a0honors those whose lifestyle exemplifies the values of the Sacred Heart. She was proud of a scholarship established by her family in her name, given each year through Ä¢¹½´«Ã½\u2019s School of Education to help a young scholar achieve their dream of teaching.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am honored that young teachers will be able to experience the joy I felt teaching every single day surrounded by my angels,\u201d she said about the scholarship.<\/p>\n

Honored by other schools and organizations, Dorsey received the first Philippine Duchesne Award, and was named a Hidden Heroine by the Girl Scouts. She was recognized with a Tr\u00e9s Bien award as an outstanding Villa Duchesne alumna.<\/p>\n

An avid traveler, Dorsey rode a camel in Egypt, sold mint in a market in Morocco, and visited schools in China. She was also an ardent St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan; at 99 years old, she was invited to throw out the first pitch of the season.<\/p>\n

She is survived by her daughter, Addie Tomber, ’68, (Phil), four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren (with a seventh expected in February).<\/p>\n

<\/i>Love<\/span>0<\/span><\/span><\/a> <\/i> <\/i>