Mrs. Strawbridge is leaving us today, and things won’t be the same without her.

Mrs. Susan Strawbridge has been a member of the John Carroll family for just under 20 years. During that time she has worked in the front office, assisting the Vice Principal as well as any students who have asked for her help.

Mrs. Strawbridge’s job through the years has included sending out daily and weekly bulletins, creating bus contracts, and managing the front desk. She also served the moderator of the Romero Service Club and has attended numerous retreats as service coordinator.

Her favorite John Carroll tradition is the yearly Christmas events, as well as the plays. Mrs. Strawbridge commented, “I enjoy the plays so much. My son started out with them, so I would see all the musicals every year.”

Director of Performing Arts Julie Parrish commented, “Mrs. Strawbridge is and has always been, an avid supporter of the arts.”

Junior Kate McCracken, the stage manager for the most recent production of Elf the Musical commented, “Mrs. Strawbridge is very hard working, and she put her entire heart and soul into this musical. We are so very grateful for her.”

Mrs. Parrish added, “Mrs. Strawbridge is fun; she enjoys all things theater and music.”

Although many are aware of Mrs. Strawbridge’s passion for the arts at John Carroll, few know just how far she goes to support her students. Mrs. Parrish revealed that “she has also supported our drum majors every year with a scholarship for them to go to a camp in the summer and learn their things, which is so, so appreciated.”

Another person who has worked closely with Mrs. Strawbridge is Administrative Assistant for the Director of Student Activities Dawn Teel. Mrs. Teel said, “One of my favorite memories is each Halloween, we would get together and don festive headgear and take photographs.”

Mrs. Teel also commented on Mrs. Strawbridge’s friendly personality. “A joke between us is that she has forgotten more people than I have ever known. We have never gone anywhere, and she has not had someone there that she knew.”

Mrs. Strawbridge once said, “Don’t be afraid to laugh. Laugh at yourself once in a while.”
It is said that “Every Patriot has a story,” and her John Carroll story is one of love, laughter and service. After so many years, there is no doubt that Mrs. Strawbridge is a well-loved part of the community, and both students and faculty will be sad to see her go.

Her final message to the John Carroll community comes from the words of John Wesley: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”