Zoanne Dusenbury

Zoanne Little Dusenbury was an accomplished woman. She was born in Cleveland on September 5, 1928 to Zola and Joseph Little, was a lifelong resident here, and died, in the company of her children, at Judson Park of complications from Alzheimer's disease. Zoanne graduated from Laurel School in 1946, as "Head Girl". She went on to earn a BA in English, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Smith College in 1950, and an MA in English from Western Reserve University in 1963. She immediately embarked on a wonderful 27- year career of teaching at Hawken School. Zoanne taught kindergarten and 5th grade at the Hawken School Lyndhurst campus from 1962 to 1974 then moved to the Gates Mills campus where she taught English, Shakespeare and Creative Writing for another 14 years. The much beloved "Mrs. D" also created and coached the first Hawken girl's field hockey team. Her dramatic gusto had her playing The Woman in "Death of a Salesman" and leading many memorable assemblies. Zoanne was an inspiration to her students, and many of them stayed in touch with her years after her retirement in 1987. Zoanne passed the teaching torch to her children, two of whom have carried on the teaching tradition. Another remarkable accomplishment was Zoanne's 47-year marriage to Warren Dusenbury. They wed on New Year's Eve in 1950 after meeting on a double blind date - despite being parts of two different couples. Warren was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict, where the newlyweds set up house in 1952. Warren founded the Chemidyne Corporation in 1966 and ran it successfully until he sold it in 1989. Zoanne worked there in the early days as his chief and only ass istant and secretary. Zoanne and Warren were peripatetic, travelling to almost every continent. They were in Eastern Europe in 1989 when the Berlin wall came down; in Lima, Peru, they unwittingly smuggled coca leaves that they'd employed as bookmarks; and in the South China Sea where they were tossed into the ocean in a boat accident near Bali. Another of their pleasures was a summer house at Treasure Lake in Pennsylvania, where family and friends spent many happy days boating and swimming. When Warren died in 1997, Zoanne commissioned the creation of "Warren's Garden", an outdoor garden for the use of residents at Keithley House, which features wandering paths, landscaping, poetic plaques, and original sculptures. Zoanne was an enthusiastic supporter of the Cleveland Playhouse, Cleveland Orchestra, Alzheimer's Association and the Cleveland Museum of Art where she served as a docent for many years. Zoanne is survived by her three children, five grandchildren, brother, and sister, whoa�"along with her many friends in Cleveland and elsewhere a�" will greatly miss her energy and wit. Contributions in memory of Zoann may be to Hawken School or the Cleveland Museum of Art. CARING IN MEMORY OF ZOANNE L. DUSENBURY Mrs. D had cares for her students, listening, counseling, and casting light on the powers of words and ideas, oral and written. Zoanne Dusenbury cared for the community in which she lived, contributing to causes seeking to improve its health and expand its artistic enlightenment. Zoanne cared for her friends and family, sharing the joys and sorrows of their lives with an open ear and a vast sea of compassion. Zo took care of her dear mother, watching and remembering as Nature took her inexorable course. Zosie provided home care to her beloved husband of 47 years, always by his side, tending, loving and holding his hand as he slowly slipped into the darkness. With time, of course, to care for her kittens! Mom's caring for her children was always present and paramount, loving and supporting, shining a beacon to us in times of turmoil to which we could turn and return. Nonie's caring continues unto the generations , beaming and smiling full of pride at shelves of pictures of her grandchildren. And now she is gone, leaving a life rich and full, to be embraced and honored by all those who share her memories and share her cares.


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