Ms. Kennedy’s office isn’t just filled with record keeping papers and cabinets, but a whole 35 years of history. As boxes are being packed away, the usual hustle and bustle is slowly calming down. Everything pauses for a moment to say goodbye and reflect.
Ms. Deb Kennedy, the assistant to the Head of Upper School at GA has served the community for nearly 35 years. She has been vital to the community by coordinating important events such as Prize Day and class trips, to keeping track of every student each day. It is her dedication that has made the GA community what it is today.
Being one of the most experienced faculty around due to her long time at GA, Ms. Kennedy is sought out by GA faculty, appreciating the vast knowledge she has collected during her time here and her ability to recall said knowledge almost instantly.
“She just has so much institutional knowledge; she just knows so much about the school from her years of service here,” Mr. David Samson, Head of Upper School, said. “There are things that I just ask her and there’s just a quick one word answer that she knows. So she’s a fountain of information that helps the school operate efficiently.”
Though retirement can be a moment of joy for some, it also brings nostalgia to the people around them. Her departure gives people the opportunity to reflect on the role Ms. Kennedy had in the GA community and has allowed them to come together in appreciation and gratitude for her.
Beyond her extensive knowledge on GA, Samson emphasizes that Kennedy’s company will be something the faculty misses the most.
“I always appreciated Ms. Kennedy and Ms. Kennedy always appreciated my stories. So, I’ll miss her sense of humor, her ability to listen. I’ll miss her friendship.” Mr. Samson said. “She is also just an incredibly hard worker and I’ll miss that as well.”
Ms. Kennedy is one of the few people who has witnessed GA grow throughout the years, by experiencing both the highs and lows. She shares many memories with both students and faculty, with some being once-in-a-lifetime moments.
“There has been so much, but the thing I keep thinking of is when I first started, there was a boy who was let down from the rafters upside down and he played a beautiful violin solo upside down in the Art Center; it was pretty amazing.” Ms. Kennedy said.
Her legacy isn’t just all the work she has done, but all of the relationships she has made over the years. She brought the sense of community through all of her encouragement.
“Just daily chats and check ins, she always makes sure to see how others are doing. She’s a constant presence at GA,” Mr. Richard O’Hern, Upper School science teacher, said.
As the year is approaching its end, Ms. Kennedy looks forward to what lies ahead in this new chapter of her life. She is ready to enjoy the new opportunities that retirement has to offer her, starting by revisiting her home and spending time with her family.
“I am moving back to Cape May, where I was born and raised. I’m looking forward to having fun times with my granddaughter,” Ms. Kennedy said.
Ms. Kennedy’s years at GA have left a major impact on the community. She has made every moment magical during her time here and has brought positivity to many. Though she will be greatly missed, everyone wishes her all the happiness in her retirement.