News at St. Catherine's
Paying Tribute to Miss Jennie
Head of School Laura Fuller and three students visited the grave site of school founder Virginia Randolph Ellett on Thursday.
On a beautiful sunny morning, three middle school students accompanied Head of School Laura Fuller to Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery.
It was an important trip as they were visiting the grave of Virginia Randolph Ellett, who founded St. Catherine’s School in 1890. The visit nearly coincides with the anniversary of her death. She passed away on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939 at the age of 82. Leadership students from the Middle School accompany the Head of School to the grave site every year.
Eighth grader Erin Menges, seventh grader Luly Dickinson and sixth grader Maddie Gunter placed flowers near the memorial for Miss Jennie, as she was affectionately known and is still referred to today.
They all then joined in saying the school prayer before a special prayer was offered by Rev. Anne West, school chaplain.
Miss Jennie is buried in the famed Hollywood Cemetery, which is also the final resting place of Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler. At the entrance to the cemetery, she is listed among the 47 notables buried there, one of the few women noted.
The monument in her honor was created from a design by Rene Paul Chambellan, who is best known for having designed the bronze medal associated with the Newbery Award for outstanding children’s literature.
Back
It was an important trip as they were visiting the grave of Virginia Randolph Ellett, who founded St. Catherine’s School in 1890. The visit nearly coincides with the anniversary of her death. She passed away on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939 at the age of 82. Leadership students from the Middle School accompany the Head of School to the grave site every year.
Eighth grader Erin Menges, seventh grader Luly Dickinson and sixth grader Maddie Gunter placed flowers near the memorial for Miss Jennie, as she was affectionately known and is still referred to today.
They all then joined in saying the school prayer before a special prayer was offered by Rev. Anne West, school chaplain.
Miss Jennie is buried in the famed Hollywood Cemetery, which is also the final resting place of Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler. At the entrance to the cemetery, she is listed among the 47 notables buried there, one of the few women noted.
The monument in her honor was created from a design by Rene Paul Chambellan, who is best known for having designed the bronze medal associated with the Newbery Award for outstanding children’s literature.
Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, St. Catherine’s School is a private, all-girls pre-K, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. We provide a well-rounded educational experience for girls from communities across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and all of central Virginia. St.Catherine’s all-girls educational experience is rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. From our revolutionary past to our dynamic present, St. Catherine’s has always focused on preparing students for a boundless future.
