We are saddened to share the news that The Spence School’s ninth Head of School Juliana Schmemann passed away on January 29, 2017. She was 93. Schmemann joined the Spence Language Department faculty in 1954, became Department Chair in 1972 and served as Dean of Faculty from 1975 until being named Head of School in March 1977. In announcing her appointment, Trustee President Suzanne Davies noted, “In Juliana we have a woman of clarity and vision with the courage and wisdom to determine an exciting and rewarding future for Spence.” After an illness compelled her to step down in July 1981, Schmemann shared this note: “I have become accustomed to consider the red door of 22 East 91st Street as my home. Now my first home and family are claiming me back.”

 

Born in 1923 to a family of Russian émigrés in Baden-Baden, Germany, Schmemann was a graduate of the Universite de Paris with a Baccalaureat in Philosophy and also a holder of a License es Lettres of the Sorbonne. In 1943, she married Alexander Schmemann, an acclaimed theologian who preceded her in death in 1983.

 

The Spence School’s 1981 Bulletin captured Schmemann’s wide-reaching contributions to the academic and cultural life of the School: designing a three-year advanced placement program in French, expanding the Music Department in Middle and Upper Schools, restructuring the mathematics curriculum, expanding the computer program, and broadening the extracurricular program to include the Grades 9 and 10 outdoor trips to Frost Valley among many others. During her years leading Spence, she was honored by the French government with the award of Palmes Académiques, given to her for her service to teaching. The Bulletin tribute noted: “She has given to everyone who has come into contact with her—students, faculty, parents and alumnae—the benefits of her wisdom and judgment, her unending faith in people, her demand that each of us be the best person we can be. Her firm, yet compassionate leadership—and the pleasure of her company—will be greatly missed.”

 

She is survived by three children: Matushka Anne Hopko, Ellwood City, PA; Serge Schmemann, Paris, France; and Matushka Mary Tkachuk, Bronxville, NY; nine grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

 

Our heartfelt condolences go to her family, friends, colleagues and the Spence community who loved her dearly.

 

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, February 2 from 5-7 PM, with a service from 7-8 PM, at the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, 46 Seymour Street, Yonkers, NY. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her memory be made to the Justin A. Solak Foundation at www.iamaffected.org. Justin was a beloved great-grandson who died one year ago.