The Spence School is saddened to announce that Barbara Colbron, Spence Headmistress 1952-1970, passed away on December 28, 2016, at the age of 102.

 

Colbron became the sixth Headmistress of The Spence School in the fall of 1952. A graduate of the Madeira School and Bryn Mawr College, Colbron trained as an apprentice teacher at The Shady Hill School in Massachusetts, taught at Chapin School for three years and then assisted the Director of Admissions at Bryn Mawr. Recommended by Bryn Mawr, she served as a Captain in the Women’s Army Corps, Intelligence Division, Third Service Command. She was given charge of a training program involving the protection of classified material. Upon returning to civilian life in 1945, she became Assistant to the Dean of Women and adviser to 1,400 freshmen at the University of Wisconsin and four years later was named Associate Dean at Swarthmore College. She was thirty-seven years old when she took the helm at The Spence School, where she served for 18 years and retired in 1970.

 

Colbron was instrumental in many reforms to bolster the School’s financial stability, which included closing the boarding program and paying off the mortgage debt. A ceremonial burning of the mortgage certificate was a festive ritual during the alumnae meeting. She was committed to the welfare of Spence faculty; she did not accept a raise until teachers received a higher pay. She and the Trustees established the Clara B. Spence Endowment for Teacher’s Retirement in 1965 to commemorate the School’s upcoming 75^th anniversary. Upon her retirement, the Board of Trustees summed up her achievements:

 

“Barbara Colbron welded all sections of the school into an enthusiastic, cohesive unit—faculty, staff, students, alumnae, parents, and trustees. None of this could have been possible, save for her unfailing sense of justice, her sensitive judgement, and her very special sense of humor. Her wisdom and discernment shine through all her acts with a lovely clarity.”

 

In her 1957 address to seniors, Colbron expressed many of her ideals:

 

“I hope we have succeeded in kindling forever within you a spark of curiosity which will spur you on through the years to pursue knowledge and truth. It is that which will take you out of yourselves and enable you to be alert, concerned and interesting people, aware of the need of others and prepared to contribute to your families and your communities.”

 

Head of School Bodie Brizendine visited Colbron on the occasion of her 100th birthday and subsequently wrote the following Vantage Points, reflecting on their visit. http://www.spenceschool.org/page/Bodies-Vantage-Points?pk=759196&fromId=174581

 

The 1970 Spence Yearbook, which marks Colbron’s final year at Spence, opens with her portrait drawn by then 5-year-old Susan Camp, Class of 1982, with a quote, “I like her curly hair and nice smile.” The Spence School will forever remember Colbron’s distinguished leadership that continues to serve as the foundation of the School today.