An independent school in Middletown, DE for students in Preschool through Grade 8

Lora Byrd

 

Lora Byrd: Leaving a Legacy of Love

When Lora Graves Byrd accepted the call to be St. Anne's Episcopal School's Middle School Head in 2009, she was searching for a school that more closely mirrored her values. St. Anne's had what she was looking for, "St. Anne's has the right balance of preparing students academically for high school and beyond, and growing and supporting the whole child."  

Mrs. Byrd has spent her entire career working in education. As a distinguished educator, counselor, dean and administrator -- she has enjoyed mentoring young people through the ups and downs of adolescence.

After seven years of helping to develop our wonderful Middle School into a rigorous academic environment that is also a compassionate place full of joyful learning, in 2016 Mrs. Byrd announced that she would be retiring – to allow her to spend more time with her husband Kimble and their three grown children.

In tandem with her educational legacy at St. Anne's, Mrs. Byrd has shared that she will leave a philanthropic legacy as well.

"My hope for every child: to come from a loving home and to get an education like St. Anne's," said Mrs. Byrd. "That is why I have decided to give a portion of my estate to the school."

Mrs. Byrd's philanthropic legacy is focused on educational institutions because she believes this is the best way to help society in the long run. She believes there are "embryonic leaders" here at St. Anne's who will have an impact on the larger world.

Mrs. Byrd said her decision to include St. Anne's in her estate plan was first and foremost motivated by love. She also hopes the idea will spread.

"It is important for people to know that everybody can make a gift like this. It does not matter your circumstances, what matters is what you love and care about. It is wonderful to be able to leave a piece of you with a place that you love."