Bless you Mrs. Donnelly

Dorothy Dorman Donnelly, retired principal of Riverdale High School, died Wednesday at East Jefferson General Hospital. She was 76.

Mrs. Donnelly was born in Birmingham, Ala., and lived in New Orleans for 70 years. She graduated from Holy Name of Jesus, Mercy Academy and Ursuline College, and received a master's degree from the University of New Orleans.

She also was a teacher at Riverdale. The philosophy she tried to pass on to her students, she once said, was "Learning is a beauty, a joy." Mrs. Donnelly retired from the Jefferson Parish public school system in 1986. She was recognized as an outstanding alumna of Ursuline College and was a member of the American Association of University Women. Survivors include a son, Dennis J. Donnelly; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. A Mass will be said Monday at 10 a.m. at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal St.Visitation will be today from 7 to 10 p.m. and Monday at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Garden of Memories.

Dorothy Donnelly was the principal of Riverdale High School in Harahan, Louisiana, suburban New Orleans, when I was a student there from 1970 to 1974. She was responsible for the guidance of over 2,000 young women each year. There were 507 girls in my graduating class in 1974. She knew each of our names and a little something about all of us. Every morning she addressed us as young ladies on the intercom system and made clear her expectations. I have thought of her often over the years, mostly with a smile or a laugh. She was much appreciated and will be missed.