Mary Wardrope - Great Britain
Mary was born in South London 1937 and grew up in Kent. After finishing her education, she completed her teacher training at Bishop Otter College in Chichester. She worked at various primary schools progressing, in time to be a deputy head teacher and finally to be Head Teacher at a local Junior school for fifteen years. She was a dedicated and diligent teacher at school level, a primary advisory head for Kent County Council.
Mary was a member of DKG for almost forty years. As well as being a prominent member in Great Britain, she was a member of three international committees, involving regular trips to Austin, Texas -the home of DKG.
She was a chapter president, state president and a recipient of the Golden Gift.
When asked of members their memories of Mary, the terms that came up time and time again were of: her kindness and thoughtfulness, her ability to make new members welcome, her concern for the wellbeing of others, the friendships she made in all the countries where DKG is present, the affection in which she was held by those who knew her, her experience and willingness to share it.
This last point is exemplified by Sheila Roberts who also knew Mary through her work. Sheila says: I first met Mary when I was a new and raw young head teacher. I was sent on a leadership and management training course. Mary was one of the experienced heads brought in to discuss issues and worries with us. She was caring and supportive and able to offer practical advice to the many new situations we found ourselves coping with.
A long standing friend, Anne Cattoor had many happy memories of their times together: spending an afternoon on a Mississippi Showboat drinking ‘mint juleps’, riding a streetcar in Nashville while singing ‘Clang, clang, clang went the Trolley’ and cruising the canals in Amsterdam on an old potato boat at the first European Regional.
Kathy Hodgson remembers that Mary could be quite mischievous: the time when sharing a room with her at an international conference in Nashville, they spent most of their time giggling-sometimes really inappropriately!
Outside of teaching, Mary was very involved in her church and local community. It was through this commitment, and service to the community, she was nominated to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace where she was thrilled to meet Prince Harry. Being with Mary at regional, and international, conferences, meeting with many European and American friends, it was obvious just how loved Mary was by us all.
Mary passed away November 4, 2021.
Mary was born in South London 1937 and grew up in Kent. After finishing her education, she completed her teacher training at Bishop Otter College in Chichester. She worked at various primary schools progressing, in time to be a deputy head teacher and finally to be Head Teacher at a local Junior school for fifteen years. She was a dedicated and diligent teacher at school level, a primary advisory head for Kent County Council.
Mary was a member of DKG for almost forty years. As well as being a prominent member in Great Britain, she was a member of three international committees, involving regular trips to Austin, Texas -the home of DKG.
She was a chapter president, state president and a recipient of the Golden Gift.
When asked of members their memories of Mary, the terms that came up time and time again were of: her kindness and thoughtfulness, her ability to make new members welcome, her concern for the wellbeing of others, the friendships she made in all the countries where DKG is present, the affection in which she was held by those who knew her, her experience and willingness to share it.
This last point is exemplified by Sheila Roberts who also knew Mary through her work. Sheila says: I first met Mary when I was a new and raw young head teacher. I was sent on a leadership and management training course. Mary was one of the experienced heads brought in to discuss issues and worries with us. She was caring and supportive and able to offer practical advice to the many new situations we found ourselves coping with.
A long standing friend, Anne Cattoor had many happy memories of their times together: spending an afternoon on a Mississippi Showboat drinking ‘mint juleps’, riding a streetcar in Nashville while singing ‘Clang, clang, clang went the Trolley’ and cruising the canals in Amsterdam on an old potato boat at the first European Regional.
Kathy Hodgson remembers that Mary could be quite mischievous: the time when sharing a room with her at an international conference in Nashville, they spent most of their time giggling-sometimes really inappropriately!
Outside of teaching, Mary was very involved in her church and local community. It was through this commitment, and service to the community, she was nominated to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace where she was thrilled to meet Prince Harry. Being with Mary at regional, and international, conferences, meeting with many European and American friends, it was obvious just how loved Mary was by us all.
Mary passed away November 4, 2021.