Gretchen G. Clarke

Mrs. Sirpo was one of my most favorite and memorable teacher/friends. The warmth of her dimpled smile and tilted head (with the twinkle in her eye), still make me smile and feel encouraged to try harder. I know she had a very large homecoming in heaven, as she cared for and influenced so many people with her love and resources while she sojourned here. We are all rich for having experienced her touch. She is eternally alive in our hearts and minds as she dances on the streets of gold above.

I am so saddened to hear of Mrs. Sirpo's passing. I was in her class for kindegarten, first & second grades at Elizabeth Hayhurst from Oct. 1956 thru June 1959. She was a wonderful, loving, patient teacher who helped me to begin my education on the right foot. She and two other teachers at Hayhurst, Mrs. Rata & Mrs. Byers, were my favorite teachers. My condolences to her family, and I am so glad she had a wonderfully happy long life as she brought happiness to my first years of school.

I recently learned at our 30th class reunion from Wilson High School that our favorite grade school teacher was in failing health. I feel blessed that I was able to have her in my life and part of my education process. She helped us grow as students as well as individuals. The world has lost a wonderful caring loving person. May we all meet again someday. Colleen McLeod

I was lucky enough to be a student that had Mrs. Sirpo as a teacher for my first 3 years of school. She helped form my love for school. I also was a member of her German classes in my later elementary years and I honestly loved every moment of those classes. She will always be in my heart as the teacher that sparked my love for education. I miss her already.

I can't believe I left out my son Brian on my memory to you - This young man was so crazy about you, he drove all the way to Arizona to visit you on his way to College in Florida - he started his own key-chain collection and will always remember you fondly. Guess I was too flooded with memories when I wrote my last note -

Mary Edwards Wright & Brian Neal Wright

My dearest mommie Sirpo - you were the super-most important person in my life - as a little girl, I eagerly awaited your morning classes - everyone had to bring a current event from the newspapers - sometimes you had to bring many as nobody could have the same one to share - it opened everyone's lives to reading the news and children in sixth grade were searching the news stands for their own special current event to share.
For 46 years now I have been such a lucky person to have...

I have fond memories of Mrs. Sirpo's German class at Hayhurst School and the passion and exuberance she brought to her classroom. She had high expectations for her students, but always with a twinkle in her eye. Sie ist fur immer in unseren Herzen!

Dianne, when we were just high school "kids", I never realized how much you looked like your mother. What an amazing life she had! Please accept my condolences.

I had Mrs. Graham/Sirpo for second and sixth grade at Hayhurst Elementary. Besides being a wonderful teacher, she taught me how to speak beginning German. Later I had a chance to teach school in Germany and build on those language skills. She opened new doors for me and got me excited about experiencing other cultures. On her 85th birthday, I had a chance to tell her in person how she enriched my life. A great woman!