By John Tredrea, Special Writer
The retirements of two Hopewell Valley Regional School District employees with a combined 71 years of service were formally accepted at the March 26 school board meeting.
Retiring July 1 will be Sue Brashier, a teacher at Timberlane Middle School. She has been in the Valley district since 1978.
Retiring June 1 will be Audrey DeDufour, a secretary at Toll Gate Grammar School. She has been working in the district since 1979.
The principals of the schools in which Ms. Brashier and Ms. DeDufour have worked had strong words of praise for them.
”Sue Brashier has been the heart and soul of Timberlane Middle School,” said Timberlane Principal Anthony Suozzo. “She exemplifies the word professionalism and is a role model for all of our staff members. Sue has given 110 percent each and every day of her career helping kids academically, socially and emotionally. The positive impact she has had on her students is immeasurable. When I think of Timberlane and what it represents, I think of Sue. She will always be part of the Timberlane family!”
”Audrey DeDufour has served the Toll Gate Grammar School community for many, many years. In addition to serving as an efficient administrative assistant, she has served as a caring support to our students, staff and parents in ways that often go unnoticed. She approaches all situations and interactions with a sense of grace, positivity and professionalism,” said Principal Daniel Umstead.
Characterizing Ms. DeDufour as Toll Gate’s unofficial historian, Mr. Umstead added: “As secretary in Toll Gate’s main office and as a longtime member of the Hopewell Valley community, she has developed connections throughout the Valley
”In addition to her clerical administrative assistance, she has provided me with support and guidance through her accounts of students, staff, residents and community happenings from days gone by.
”I am fascinated and impressed with the number of people she knows and the stories she tells. In her signature style, she would always apologize for telling these stories from the past, but I have always seen them as a window into the history of the school and the community. It is one of the attributes of Audrey I will miss most. The Toll Gate Grammar School community has benefited from Mrs. DeDufour’s efforts for years. We will miss Audrey and we wish her the very best as she enters into her well-deserved retirement,” said the principal.
