Willie Ross to Hold Garden Dedication Ceremony for Late Board Member Susan Phillips Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.

Longmeadow—Willie Ross School for the Deaf will hold a garden dedication ceremony on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. in memory of longtime board member Susan Conlon Phillips, who passed away in 2020. The ceremony will take place at the bus loop in the front of the school. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in the student center.

 

Phillips served on the Willie Ross board for 32 years in various capacities, including as chairperson and treasurer. She was an attorney and City Solicitor for the City of Westfield.

 

During her time on the board, Phillips oversaw the largest period of expansion in the school’s history, in both facilities and programs, and chaired the two Building Committees for the construction of the Cooley Administration Building and the Foster & Constance Gleason Furcolo Student Center, both significant additions to the Longmeadow Campus.

 

Phillips was honored by the school in 2015 at its annual gala and testimonial event.

 

According to Bert Carter, President and CEO of WRSD, “There was no better champion for the Willie Ross School than Susan Phillips, and her loss has had a profound effect on all who were privileged to know her. We will recognize her contributions to the school and the deaf community through this on-campus garden, reminding us of her spirit and dedication to the school.”

 

The garden dedication event will also be streamed on Facebook Live, which can be viewed here: https://fb.me/e/yjJFVTZh.

 

The Willie Ross School for the Deaf provides a comprehensive educational program stressing academic excellence that focuses on the development of students’ intellectual, social, and emotional growth from the early childhood level through high school. Willie Ross serves students at its main campus in Longmeadow and at its partnership campus located in the East Longmeadow Public Schools. Mainstreaming opportunities are provided at the partnership campus.