Doris Bushaw

Distinguished Educator Served

As Principal At

Hawley School

Doris (Crocker) Bushaw, 80, of Danbury, beloved wife of the late Nathaniel Bushaw, died September 5 at Danbury Hospital, following a long illness. She was born October 8, 1927, in Danbury to Herbert L. Crocker, Sr, and Evelyn (Booth) Crocker.

 Mrs Bushaw received her bachelor’s degree from Danbury State Teachers College, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and a sixth year professional diploma from Southern Connecticut State University. Additional postgraduate work was completed at the University of Connecticut. During her distinguished career as an educator, she served as a teacher in the Darien Public Schools, and subsequently as a guidance counselor and assistant principal in Danbury. She retired in 1992 as the supervising principal of Hawley School in Newtown.

She loved her students and staff, taking great pleasure in their accomplishments. Always a professional, education mattered greatly to her and as a result she was highly regarded by the school community that she served. She was an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, National Association of Elementary Principals, and National Education Association.

 She enjoyed her membership in the Woman’s Club of Danbury and New Fairfield and was a recipient of the Woman Of The Year award in 1999 by that organization. She was especially proud of her lifetime membership at the First Congregational Church, having served as a member of the Diaconate Board.

Mrs Bushaw was also a long-term member of the Rock Ridge Country Club in Newtown.

She is survived by her loving family members, Arlene Birrell and her husband, Albert, of Glastonbury; a brother, Herbert L. Crocker, Jr, and his wife, Marcia, of West Simsbury; as well as her nephew, Scott Birrell and his wife, Karen, of West Hartford; her nephew, Peter Birrell and his wife, Sheila, of Glastonbury; her niece, Jennifer Birrell of Middletown; her nephew, Jeffrey Crocker and his wife, Victoria, of Boynton Beach, Fla.; her niece, Melinda Lang and her husband, David, of Seattle, Wash., and her nephew, Jonathan Lang of Bellevue, Wash.; and several cherished grandnephews and nieces. She is also survived by her lifelong, very special friend, Carol MacLenathen of Danbury. She was predeceased by a sister, Edyth C. Lang of Bellevue, Wash.

There will be no calling hours, but a memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church, 164 Deer Hill Avenue, Danbury, Saturday, September 13, at 11 am, with the Reverend Laura Westby officiating.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr Robert Cooper, the Praxair Cancer Center staff, and Dr Jose Mendez and the ICU staff at Danbury Hospital for their care and concern for Mrs Bushaw’s welfare; as well as to Emma Pezantez and Carol Thomson for their devoted care to Mrs Bushaw during her illness.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Praxair Cancer Center at Danbury Hospital, Ann’s Place: the Home of I Can, 39 Old Ridgebury Road, Danbury CT 06810, or the Scholarship Fund of the Danbury-New Fairfield Woman’s Club, PO Box 4483, Danbury CT 06813.

The Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury, is in charge of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee      September 12, 2008