WESTFORD — Community members sent off retiring Nabnasset Elementary School principal Susan DuBois in style.
DuBois, who has served as principal of Nabnasset since 2001 and has worked for the school since 2000, received a heartfelt send-off from former students, teachers and residents.
The car parade, hosted at Abbot Elementary School, was organized by resident Jamie Holmes. Holmes, who has five children who attended Nabnasset, says she wanted to do “something without being too emotional or in her face.”
“She’s an amazing person and principal. As far as I’m aware, she deserves it all,” Holmes told WestfordCAT. “She didn’t want anything but we didn’t want to overwhelm her, so this was the next best thing.”
(Photo/Melanie Duronio)
Residents, like Stacey Bruce, say DuBois was a “great support” for her daughter, Emma.
“We love her and she helped our daughter get through Nab. If it weren’t for her she may not have lasted in the school,” Bruce said.
Others, like Nancy Beckwith, who serves on the Abbot Parent-Teacher Organization, says DuBois is a “valuable asset” to Westford.
“We wanted to show our support and say happy retirement,” she said.
The parade, which had remained a “tremendous secret” to DuBois, saw over three dozen cars participate. Her mother, Jean Storck, also stood in attendance.
“This is just, my heart is full. It was a tremendous surprise to see staff members and families from years ago,” she said. “The last family that drove by I worked with in 2000. Her son is a doctor in Texas now and he called in.”
DuBois told Superintendent of Schools Christopher Chew and WestfordCAT on April 12 that she is looking forward to “an awful lot of traveling.”
DuBois plans to travel to Italy during this fall where she will explore Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast. While in Westford, she says she will spend her time biking along local trails as well as skiing, gardening and spending time with her friends and family.
Her successor, Nina Balfe, will officially begin her new role on July 1.
