Ellen Collins Permanent Memorial
Donation protected
Dear St. Mark's Community:
After much deliberation about the proper way to memorialize Ellen Collins, we have arranged with the school to dedicate one of the benches in the front of the school, in the circle, to Ellen.
In order to make this possible, we need your help.
If you were impacted by the compassion, warmth, and friendliness of Ellen during your tenure of St. Mark's, please consider donating. Your donation will ensure that Ellen, and the people at St. Mark's who help shape the experience and community, are recognized, remembered, and leave a lasting legacy.
Many fondly recall how Ellen thought of the St. Mark's kids as her own. One parent writes, "That was the part as a parent that helped me. Before there were room phones, there were only one or two phones per dorm. I would call looking for my daughter and she would say to me 'Oh, she isn't in her dorm, she's over here, I just saw her.' Either she would catch up with her or have me call later."
Shortly in the aftermath of Ellen's passing, Rev. Sherrill posted words in remembrance of Ellen that resonated with many SM community members, and I'll repeat them here:
_________________________________
"I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
'Anyone's or any insitution's first act of kindness ought to be the kind of welcome Ellen could give so freely and effortlessly; a welcoming, hospitable presence intending first simply to receive a visitor as they are before pointing in any direction or offering advice. The friendly voice of reception, be it on the phone or at a desk, giving each visitor a hope-filled greeting, "good morning - good afternoon - etc," sets the tone for the community into which that person enters first as stranger, praying more often than not that this leading moment will turn into a deeper and more meaningful relationship with other souls to be found on the other side of the threshold.
My vote would be to establish the kind of acknowledgement and honor for Ellen, Sandy and all who toil long, oftentimes tedious and unsung hours with nary a complaint in order to assure that St. Mark's School's first impression would be the right and enduring one.'
_________________________________
Funds will go directly to St. Mark's School from this account.
After much deliberation about the proper way to memorialize Ellen Collins, we have arranged with the school to dedicate one of the benches in the front of the school, in the circle, to Ellen.
In order to make this possible, we need your help.
If you were impacted by the compassion, warmth, and friendliness of Ellen during your tenure of St. Mark's, please consider donating. Your donation will ensure that Ellen, and the people at St. Mark's who help shape the experience and community, are recognized, remembered, and leave a lasting legacy.
Many fondly recall how Ellen thought of the St. Mark's kids as her own. One parent writes, "That was the part as a parent that helped me. Before there were room phones, there were only one or two phones per dorm. I would call looking for my daughter and she would say to me 'Oh, she isn't in her dorm, she's over here, I just saw her.' Either she would catch up with her or have me call later."
Shortly in the aftermath of Ellen's passing, Rev. Sherrill posted words in remembrance of Ellen that resonated with many SM community members, and I'll repeat them here:
_________________________________
"I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
'Anyone's or any insitution's first act of kindness ought to be the kind of welcome Ellen could give so freely and effortlessly; a welcoming, hospitable presence intending first simply to receive a visitor as they are before pointing in any direction or offering advice. The friendly voice of reception, be it on the phone or at a desk, giving each visitor a hope-filled greeting, "good morning - good afternoon - etc," sets the tone for the community into which that person enters first as stranger, praying more often than not that this leading moment will turn into a deeper and more meaningful relationship with other souls to be found on the other side of the threshold.
My vote would be to establish the kind of acknowledgement and honor for Ellen, Sandy and all who toil long, oftentimes tedious and unsung hours with nary a complaint in order to assure that St. Mark's School's first impression would be the right and enduring one.'
_________________________________
Funds will go directly to St. Mark's School from this account.
Organizer
Jenna Bos
Organizer
Southborough, MA
