Dear Friends,

I am saddened to share that Ele Carpenter, a beloved educator who served the Upper School for more than 30 years, has passed away. As her long-time administrative colleague Ellen Pierson remembered, Ele was “a woman of great faith and this foundation enabled her to embrace Quaker testimonies. As a friend and colleague I appreciated her kindness, courage, good humor, and generosity of spirit. Her friendship was a blessing. Ele was a blessing.”

After earning a master's degree in counseling from the University of Kentucky, Ele began a storied career at Sidwell Friends in 1967. She worked closely with seven Upper School principals, serving as a counselor, dean, director of studies, and, ultimately, assistant principal. Fearlessly student-centered, she initiated a new advisory system and developed programming designed to meet the emotional and academic needs of students. She was a longtime member of the admissions committee and was charged with the painstaking task of building the Upper School schedule. A staunch advocate for diversity, she led interracial dialogues in the mid 1970s with parents and students alike. In addition, she initiated the much-loved tradition of giving each Upper School student a balloon on their birthday.

Ele was known for maintaining extremely high standards for herself and others, for being a tireless advocate for students, and for embodying the School's mission. I was fortunate to work with her when I first arrived at Sidwell Friends and remain deeply grateful for her example and guidance. She provided crucial advice and insights regarding students and was dedicated to helping young faculty members thrive. I will never forget the positive impact that her kind, thoughtful, and centered presence brought to the School. As former principal Bernie Noe wrote at her retirement, Ele “brought intelligence, insight, and, above all, fairness and integrity” to everything she did. 

After retiring in 1998, Ele collaborated with former Middle School colleague Peggy Kane to establish the Sidwell Friends Former Faculty and Staff Affinity Group. Never one to shirk responsibility, Ele became the group historian, ensuring that its web page remained current and taking it upon herself to maintain connections through email. In 2012, the School honored her efforts with the prestigious Newmyer Award for volunteer service. 

Ele is survived by three children, each of whom attended Sidwell Friends: Carolyn Chamberlain Nazdin ’76, Allison Chamberlain Basil ’79, John L. “Chip” Chamberlain, IV ’82. Please join me in remembering Ele and in holding her family in the Light.

A memorial service will be held at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 4700 Whitehaven Parkway NW, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 21.

In peace and friendship,

Bryan Garman
Head of School