St. Raymond bids farewell to 17-year office administrator

When St. Raymond School students decorated the hallway exterior of office administrator Donna Cherwin’s window in honor of her leaving the school after 17 years, the colorful shutters, curtains, and flowers they used indicated just how much at home they felt in her presence.

To say farewell to Cherwin, the school declared Friday, May 18, “Donna Cherwin Day.” As students arrived at school that day, they processed in through the main entrance and presented Cherwin with flowers. Parents and students wrote letters of appreciation to her as well.

For Cherwin, this feeling of appreciation is mutual.

“St. Raymond School is home …. is family,” said Cherwin. “This is a remarkable, faith-based school with an extraordinary level of academic excellence. I have been blessed to eagerly come to work each day and be surrounded by wonderful students, pastors, principals, assistant principals, co-workers and parents.

“Everyone works together to help our students reach their greatest potential. I can honestly say that I have always looked forward to coming to school.”

Cherwin first came to St. Raymond School in 1987 to register her oldest son, Dan, for preschool. Involved in various areas such as Moms Plus and CHIP (Christ Renews His Parish), her family was already involved with the parish.

By the time her youngest son Max was in kindergarten, she had become active as a room parent and later as an instructional assistant. Years afterward, she worked in the parish front office and finally in the school office, her most recent position.

“My time in the school front office was most gratifying,” said Cherwin, who commented that she enjoyed the work she did in all three of her roles.

“I have been so fortunate to be employed by six remarkable principals and assistant principals. I consider my friends in the office among my nearest and dearest to my heart. This position gave me the opportunity to work with faculty, students and parents. I learned every aspect of the operations of the school. It has been incredible.”

Cherwin, who begins a new job soon at St. Anne School in Barrington, hopes that the feelings of comfort and safety she worked so hard to establish at St. Raymond will still come to mind when students pass by her former office vantage point.

“I hope they will remember me as the smiling lady in the window who was always willing to help.”

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