Mrs. Bagley Memorial Page

Mrs. Bagley and her grade partners
June 1998
Photo courtesy of her daughter

Mrs. Linda Bagley was a beloved first grade teacher at Maple Hill School from the day it opened in 1989 until her death in 1999. She is deeply missed by everyone who worked with her and the students who were lucky enough to have been in her class.
I personally always thought of her as a mentor, although she wasn't that much older than me. Perhaps it was because of the years of teaching experience that she had in Stratford and at Cross Street, or maybe it was just her beautiful gray hair. She was also a trusted friend. I could always depend on her for a truthful answer and unfailing support. She helped me to get through one of the most difficult times in my life. She was one of a kind.

Those who knew Mrs. Bagley were well aware of her feelings about computer technology. Computers were not exactly her favorite things, but she tried to "get along" with the ones in her classroom. I know that she is looking down from Heaven and wondering why I would want to make a web site in the first place! Then she would probably come around to understanding why I wanted to dedicate it to her memory.
The Giving Tree

The Little Theater of the Deaf presented The Giving Tree
and Other Stories on October 22, 2002 in a performance
dedicated to Mrs. Bagley.

On June 3,1999, the Maple Hill School family gathered on the circle in front of our school for a dedication ceremony. A weeping cherry tree had been planted on the circle in memory of Mrs. Bagley. Since she had always been a nature lover, it was a beautiful way to remember a wonderful friend. The ceremony included the songs "I Believe I Can Fly" and "The Circle of Life." I was honored to be asked to read one of Mrs. Bagley's favorite books, Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree. Memories of Mrs. Bagley from both students and teachers were read aloud to the assembled students and members of Mrs. Bagley's family. Former students marched to It's a Small World and butterflies hatched in Mrs. Bagley's classroom were set free. It was an assembly that I will never forget. We have since added a memorial stone in front of the tree which reads:

        The Giving Tree
"And the tree was happy..."
In loving memory of our friend
        Linda Bagley
              1999

POEM FOR MRS. JANICE FISHER
           by Andrew West

I remember your beautiful face,
The beauty that time could not erase.
I remember your smile and gentle touch,
The way you taught me so very much.
The dinosaur exhibit, the park and the zoo,
All of these hold memories of you.
I got so angry when I heard that day,
Why had God taken you away?
It took a while for me to see
What the answer could ever be.
Then the answer came as clear as glass,
God needed you there to teach his class.
So goodbye sweet teacher, you taught me well.
Angel school is starting, God's ringing the bell.
         Angel

Mrs. Bagley requested that all monetary donations made in her name be donated to Maple Hill School. This fund has been used to purchase some items on our school "wish list." The first thing we ordered was an electric eraser cleaner because Mrs. Bagley had always extolled the virtues of the one she had used while teaching in a former school. We have also acquired a VCR for each wing of our school in order to increase their availability. There will also be a bench bearing Mrs. Bagley's name for the foyer, and a digital camera made available for school use.