{"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 Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPP 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 Maryville, 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

\"Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPP\u201cWhat I liked best about teaching was that every day was a delight. I loved it,\u201d Dorsey told Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPPMagazine <\/em>in 2014.<\/p>\n

One of her former students, Thomas Boudreau, \u201973, is now chair of Maryville\u2019s Board of Trustees.<\/p>\n

Dorsey received the Centennial Award (now the Heart of Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPPAward) at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPP 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 Maryville\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>