News From SWW

June 03, 2004: SWW Recognizes the Passing of a Friend

Dear School Without Walls Alumni and Friends,

It isn't often we have to announce the passing of a member of SWW's extended community. We haven't lost many people in our 30+ year history. Sadly, we must recognize the death of Jean McDade, mother of four SWW graduates (Elizabeth, Andrew, Matthew, and Maranne) and wife of George, on May 29th, 2004, after a long illness.

From the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Local Section:

On May 29, 2004, Jean Hernon McDade, educator, advocate, graduate of New Rochelle H.S., SUNY Oswego and Syracuse University, died in hospice with her family by her side.

Her teaching career began as an elementary school teacher in Bowling Green, Ohio and later at Bishop Schulte H.S. in Terre Haute, Indiana where she was honored as an outstanding English teacher. Throughout Jean's life she constantly worked for peaceful alternatives to violence. While in Indiana she worked with the American Friends Service Committee to mobilize support for the first Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. She was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union, International Visual Sociology Association and the Democratic Committee of Monroe County. She constantly worked to register voters regardless of party affiliation. Jean fervently believed in the necessity of citizens to actively participate in their government.

The last fifteen years of her life saw her focusing on the needs of adult learners in the New York State External Diploma Program. When students signed up for the program Jean told them "There will be times when it will be overwhelming and you will decide this program is too much of a challenge, too much of a drain on your energy and you will want to quit. But you will not quit. Failure is not an option. You will call me and I will help you get back on track and remind you of your goal." Each year at graduation, tearful, grateful students would describe how she convinced them to persevere and succeed. She will be remembered for her dedicated teaching, her lively, irreverent sense of humor, and devotion to her family.

She is survived by husband George Campbell McDade; daughters Elizabeth McDade & Maranne (W. Thomas) McDade Clay; sons Andrew (Eliza) McDade & Matthew (Doreen) McDade; grandchildren, Kaitryn, Ana, Campbell, Eamon, Delia, Mary & Niamh; brother Anthony (Mae) Perrotte; many sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and loving friends. Predeceased by her brother James Perrotte.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Subclassification: Death Notices in Monroe County 6/1/2004

The Funeral Mass took place Thursday, June 3rd, 2004 at St. Mary's Church, 15 St. Mary's Place, in Rochester.

Jean was a long-time SWW advocate and a real school "Mom," who made herself available to any student who needed her help or a shoulder to lean on. On a personal note, this last was especially meaningful to me, as I didn't have a mom of my own. It makes her passing the sadder for that loss.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the House of Mercy, 725 Hudson Ave. , Rochester, NY, 14621. To contact the family directly, see the Alumni Directory, or contact us for more information.

Please forward this information on to other friends who knew Jean.

Betsy (Marks) Delaney, '81

####

Return to SWW News

Back to Top
Alumni Home • Alumni News • SWW News • Contact Us • Links• Update Info