In Memoriam

Students Remember Ms. Bouton | Reflections by Staff, Friends

Lee Ella Bouton is remembered lovingly in the hearts of her family, friends, students, and all who were fortunate to have known her. Lee was born in Bloomington, Illinois on June 21, 1955, the daughter of Clark W. Bouton and the late Phyllis Loew Bouton. Other surviving family members are Lee's step-mother, Denny McGihon, of Denver, Colorado, three brothers, Robert and his fiance, Ave Holland of Frederick, David Bouton of Frederick and Michael Bouton and wife Tenley of Bartlett, New Hampshire. She will also be missed by her devoted, long time companion, Gerald Jackson.

Ms. Bouton was a language arts teacher at West Frederick Middle School in Frederick, Maryland for the past four years, and was loved by her students and admired by her fellow teachers who felt inspired by her constant dedication, talents, and caring attitude. She was a unique individual with a strong sense of justice and honesty, always putting others before herself.

Ms. Bouton had a wonderful sense of humor. As her father and step-mother shared in a letter to family and friends, "She was loved by her students and admired by her fellow teachers. Shortly before she left one of her students noticing her weight loss and knowing she had cancer asked her if she was going to die. Lee's acerbic response was, ' I haven't made an appointment for it.'"

Other information shared by her father and step-mother gives us an insight into Ms. Bouton's academic achievements and her willingness to face challenges:

"She was in the first group of both blacks and girls who were admitted to St. Paul's School at Concord, New Hampshire. After graduation there she was admitted to Swarthmore College. She left after her junior year and for a while tried several other schools, usually receiving a scholarship to do so. She finished her bachelor's degree at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. She taught at Hood and then entered Georgetown University where she received her master's degree in English literature. She was working on her PhD in English literature at the University of Maryland. She had thought of teaching at the college level, but really found her calling with the sixth grade students. Lee had a gift for teaching these children."