37 years at SFS!  Mary hailed from Manchester, Iowa, a young graduate of St Mary Elementary, West Delaware High School, and with a degree in Middle School Mathematics from University of Northern Iowa.  She already knew what age group to teach. She arrived at SFS in 1983 as a 7/8 team teacher.  As the team morphed from Team 4, to Team West, to Team Sky, Mary fulfilled major leadership roles in academics, Quaker education, advising students, team building, minimester, and theater. She is as marvelously unique and creative as Andrew Callard’s tribute below.

This Toast’s for You, Mary Milroy

(set to the tune of Piano Man, by Billy Joel; lyrics by Andrew Callard)

VERSE 1: It’s 9:25 on a Monday,
One by one, students fill the Waiting Room,
Mary takes a deep breath and admits them
As she starts her B period on Zoom
And she’ll soon have them rolling with laughter
Making memories that are loaded with fun
Cause she’s always so caring, like her alter ego, Sister Mary,
The world’s funniest math-teaching nun.
Oh ladada ditty dah, ladada ditty dah da dum……

CHORUS: This toast’s for you, Mary Milroy
Your legend will never die
You’ve brought joy to Sidwell for decades
And you’ve got us feeling alright

VERSE 2: Now Mary has a flare for the dramatic
She’s managed many shows along the way
And her spirit’s so free, she’d try learning tai chi
With retired folks in China all day
And she’s a lifetime lover of melodies
If there’s singing to done she’s all smiles
So at Friday assemblies, if a band’s onstage playing
She‘ll be dancing in one of the aisles
Oh ladada ditty dah, ladada ditty dah da dum…….

CHORUS: This toast’s for you, Mary Milroy
Your legend will never die
You’ve brought joy to Sidwell for decades
And you’ve got us feeling alright

VERSE 3: Now Mary runs a tight ship at lunch time
She tells it like it is without shame
If she’s giving an announcement, and some kids are still talking
She’ll most likely call out their names
And she’s the master of “special dessert” days
She can manage any crisis quite well
So if she needs to call for silence, and both mics aren’t working
She can always start ringing her bell.
Oh ladada ditty dah, ladada ditty dah da dum

CHORUS: This toast’s for you, Mary Milroy
Your legend will never die
You’ve brought joy to Sidwell for decades
And you’ve got us feeling alright

VERSE 4: Now Mary is a master conversationalist
She once said she could talk to a stone
She puts others so at ease, that making friends is a breeze
And she’ll never have to face life alone
So dear Mary, if you’re nervous about retirement
Rest assured, things are going to be just fine
‘Cause while you might be grieving… the fact that you’re leaving
YOU CAN COME BACK TO SUB ANYTIME!!
Oh ladada ditty dah, ladada ditty dah da dum

CHORUS: This toast’s for you, Mary Milroy
Your legend will never die
You’ve brought joy to Sidwell for decades
And you’ve got us feeling alright