Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Jean Elizabeth Pugh was a humanitarian, a biologist, a teacher, an historian, and a supporter of Gloucester County, particularly its parks and public schools.

Countless hours of volunteering at "her" school, Abingdon, untold numbers of hours listening to those who sought her counsel, hundreds of Gloucester’s youth whose pursuits during and after high school were enhanced through monetary support are among those who Jean would want to "pay forward"—giving back to this community through their time and talents.

Jean Pugh had a dream—a vision for the future of Gloucester County Public Schools. Her dream was to make our school system a positive example for the Middle Peninsula, the Peninsula, and the commonwealth. This dream encompassed our hiring and keeping the best in our system: the bus drivers, the cafeteria workers, the buildings and grounds custodial staff, the teachers, the administrators, the superintendent and all others concerned with the education of Gloucester children.

This vision also included development of the land that has been purchased (after finding it suitable) for the building of three schools. Part of that vision was that these buildings would be a well-built, sustainable, environmentally friendly hub—a testimony to Gloucester County’s commitment to planned economic growth—growth that is always enhanced by the commitment to good programming in progressive schools.

Programming needs and methods of delivery are in a state of flux. No longer can we rely on methods of the 1950s, but know that we must prepare students for jobs of today and tomorrow and beyond; teaching the soft skills for success in the higher education classrooms, the success in the job markets and the skills to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many changes are occurring in our system; Jean embraced those changes. Technology became important to her. She embraced the current technology and knew that the school system needed to keep abreast, nay, ahead of, technological advancements. To that end, her family has designated the recipient of memorial contributions as the Page Technology Fund, Gloucester County Public Schools, 6489 Main Street, Gloucester, Va. 23061.

Your friendship, your support and your counsel is sorely missed.

Ann Burruss

Hayes, Va.