Honoring Mr. Donohoe

The bench, located under the Campanile, will serve as a living memorial that will share these memories of both Mr. and Mrs. D. and honor their contributions to the Mount in a significant and permanent way. This page is dedicated to the most treasured stories of Mr. Donohoe from Alumnae.

Favorite Memories and Stories from Alumnae

“Everyone has that one teacher who made a difference in her life. I was lucky enough to have two, thanks to the Donohoes.” - Anne Tanner Arent ‘92

“I fondly remember Mr. and Mrs. Donohoe having both for English during my time at the Mount. I always admired, even back then, how they were so engrained in the culture and how they seemed like everyone's parents in the way they cared for all of the girls. What a gift to be able to work with your soulmate, love what you do, and inspire so many young women.” - Kelley Amberson O'Neill ‘92

“I loved that Mr. and Mrs. D. were always at all of our basketball games!” - Laura Halligan Kidwell ‘95

“I was in Mr. D.'s honors English class my freshman year. The first day of class he passed out a piece of paper that he called a syllabus. I had never heard of such a thing so I shoved in my locker and never looked at it again. A few weeks later, he passed out a quiz on the first few chapters of "Great Expectations." I raised my hand and asked how he could possibly give us a quiz on something he never assigned and he promptly told me it was on the syllabus. Thank you, Mr. D, for teaching me to ALWAYS read the syllabus!” - Laura Naccarato Cannon ‘96

“I was lost on my first day at the Mount. I saw a kind looking man who looked like he could help. When I asked Mr. D. where a classroom was he said, "I have no idea- it's my first day here too!!!" It was nice to know that I wasn't the only clueless person there and that we would figure it out together.” - Katherine Loos Major ‘92

“I was lucky enough to have Mr. D. both for 9th grade English and again for homeroom in 12th grade. Too many funny stories to share- but what I would like to share is this. I fully appreciate now, as an adult and mother of a daughter… he had complete confidence that we were intelligent, smart, inspiring leaders who were going places in this world. He had little patience for a student who thought otherwise - and made sure we knew it! He also was an exemplary gentleman and husband- and how he treated Mrs. D. did not go unnoticed. What a joy it was to know him!” - Kathleen Kohler Buckley ‘95

“In my senior year, I had the honor to be a part of the yearbook staff which Mr. D ran. I loved every meeting! That senior really allowed me to solidify the confidence that I would need as I entered the "real world!" Mr. D knew I would need a strong sense of self for all that would follow me in my life. He gave me the strength then and he does still today. People say sometimes all you need is that one person who believes in you so that you can believe in yourself. Thank you Mr. D! Your "dear ones" miss you!” - Ellen Halczenko Donohoe ‘96

“Mr D.'s class reading and watching Pride and Prejudice.” - Sharon Trainor Trainor ‘96

“Mr. D. always encouraged me to write. When I saw him a year or 2 after graduation and told me I was working as a proofreader he said, “You should be writing.” Well, within a few years I had moved up to an editor position and couldn’t help but think of Mr. D’s words. I proudly told him I was working as an editor at the next reunion.” - Patricia Gorman ‘91

“Mr. D. started a poignant conversation about the “Braves baseball team chop” which was controversial at the time. Some supported the fans doing it, others did not. I remember having one of my first aha moments regarding diversity and inclusion during it and raised my hand to say that the most important thing is that we were discussing it. He was so supportive of me in that moment. As a minority in a school with decidedly low enrollment from minority women, Mr.D in that moment and always helped me feel seen and heard.” - Rana Silver Schneider ‘94

“Mr. D was the kind of teacher who cared about his students and grew to know them both inside and outside of the classroom. He was a father figure who girls loved and respected and helped to create strong community within the walls of the Mount.” - Karen Ganster Westmoreland ‘95

“Mr. D. was a true gentleman with so much love for his wife, his family & those he taught.” - Erin Anderson Anderson ‘96

“Mrs. D. was always there to give a hug, a kind word, and bring a love of Shakespeare to her students. I never had Mr. D for a teacher, but he loved all of us and knew us because of Mrs. D. They showed kindness and compassion and love to each other and everyone they came in contact with at the Mount. They were one of the best parts of my high school life. They sent letters to us in college and we continue to exchange Christmas cards. I am so grateful to have them in my life.” - Tracy O’Brien Christie ‘94

“My favorite memories of Mr. and Mrs. D. are the ones where they spent outside of the classroom. They always made it a point to go to our field hockey games, tennis matches, swim meets, and lacrosse games. They were our biggest cheerleaders on the fields and in the classroom. We treasure the remarkable impact that Mr. and Mrs. D had on us, which we carry with us today.” - Erin Allu Allen ‘95

“On the last day of my senior year, Mr. D. drove me round-trip to and from my home in East Mt. Airy so that I could get my regulation uniform and not receive any demerits or be barred from graduation! I have never, ever forgotten that special kindness, and it was one of the reasons why I honored him in naming my youngest child. But, truly, to show that kind of caring was just an everyday occurrence for him and for Mrs. D, to go above and beyond for their girls. It wasn't just in the classroom where they taught. It was on the softball field and on the stage and in the yearbook room and in the first floor hallways. Their presence was larger than life -- the only thing surpassing it was their love for us.” - Coleen Dyer Wybranski ‘92

“The desk drawer filled with candy! I always enjoyed that root beer barrel candy. Mr. D. always had a smile for us & Mrs. D. who I never had as a teacher still knew my name to say hello in the hall.” - Meg Magee Seminack ‘95

“When I think of Mr. D., I am reminded of his kind and gentle nature ... always with a smile and a twinkle in his eye! Mrs. D. provided me with grammar lessons and writing skills that I will never forget. To this day, I think twice before using words like "very" and "a lot"!” - Joanie King Cavallaro ‘97

“Mr. Donohoe was my English teacher in 10th grade. I remember his gregarious personality and generous spirit. I was not in touch with him after I graduated from the Mount in 1997. However, when I got engaged in 2005, my husband and I had a piece about our upcoming nuptials featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Mr. Donohoe was kind enough to write me a note and congratulate me on my engagement. I was very touched by his kind words.” - Sonal Shah Korgaonkar ‘93

“Mr. D always had a smile for everyone- he was truly a kind and caring person.” - Michelle Bart Killenbeck ‘92

“Mr. D always made it a point to stand in the hallway every morning and greet every girl by name as they went by. He would always smile, ask you how you were, or make a joke. Senior year, I wrote a proposal (along with Judy Rolling and Nancy Prior) for an AIDS Awareness Assembly. I walk by one Wednesday morning, and Mr. D says to me "There goes Annemarie, taking over the world as always." I looked back at him quizzically. He proceeded to tell me that the proposal was discussed at the teachers meeting the day before, and they all voted to give me a half day (!) for our AIDS Awareness Day. He also told me how proud he was of what we were doing. Besides being an amazing teacher who introduced me to my love of Thomas Hardy, he guided many of us through tumultuous years and made us know we were each individually amazing. One memory and picture that is burned in my brain was on graduation day, Mr. D. walking among us all, and stopping my parents to make sure I had a picture with him.” -Annemarie Flanagan Alberts ‘92

“I remember and appreciate Mrs. D.’s patience and determination to turn out excellent writers and passionate readers. You could count on both of them for smiles and kind, authentic words in the halls.” - Elizabeth McNamara ‘94

“My favorite memory of Mr. D. is just how he always made every single one of us feel special. I had him for homeroom and he always had a big smile on his face and you could just tell that he truly loved what he did. He made me feel like I was one of his own kids that he was looking out for and during those important developing years, it was important to have someone who cared so much always on my side. There will never be another one like Mr. D and I am a better person for having known him.” - Maureen McGinley ‘92

"Mr. D was my teacher for 9th grade honors English and he was a giant. One day he was discussing A Separate Peace with us and he paired it with the poem "Dulce in Decorum Est." He pulled out a picture from his wallet that was worn from having been folded over many times. He showed the picture and said it was a photo a student gave him of himself right before the student went to war. He then snapped his wallet shut and said ,"Girls, he never came back." He choked up and the bell rang. I thought, "Wow I can't believe that student gave him a picture of himself before he left".... But then I got to know Mr. D over the next 4 years and I totally understood. When I went to college I had a picture of my family, my best high school friends, and one of me and Mr. D and my little sister in a bear hug at graduation. We all have this picture. He and Mrs D never missed a graduation or a Mount reunion. He loved us all, ferociously. We will all swear we were his favorite. And we are all correct." - Jeanine Waldron '92