Beloved and longtime World Language Teacher, Danielle DePonte will be remembered at the Dedication of a Memorial Bench in her honor at Northport High School on August 27th. Danielle, who passed away in November 2023, only a few years into her retirement, also served the UTN as Northport High School Building Representative, and on a multitude of building, district and union committees.  

Danielle’s friends and colleagues commissioned students in Greg Robinson’s Woodworking class at Northport High School to construct the bench which will be placed in the H-wing courtyard a short distance from her former classroom and will enable colleagues and students to enjoy the sunshine and a little break from the hectic school day.

The dedication will take place on Wednesday, August 27th at 12:30 pm in the H-wing courtyard (World Languages Department) of Northport High School.  Friends will share memories of our dear friend, Danielle.  Light refreshments will be served.

Anne Hannon, retired Northport Junior High School science teacher, passed away on May 14^th at the age of 95. Anne lived in Hampton Bays. She was laid to rest at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, following a funeral mass at St. Therese of Lisieux Church in Montauk.

Dorothea Cook, Retired Dickinson Avenue teacher, passed away on July 26 at the age of 90. Dorothea is survived by her daughter Jennifer Borden and sons William, Thomas, John and Michael. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Dorothea’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy, and they affectionally called her Grandma Sugar. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling, the theater, reading, crocheting, baking, and most of all, relaxing with her cookies, iPad and faithful dogs, Alfie and Teddy.

Services will be held at Nolan Funeral Home on Wednesday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:00 Noon St.Philip Neri Church. Interment to follow at Northport Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to V.N.S. Hospice of Suffolk “Hospice House” in Dorothea’s memory would be appreciated.

R-UTN members who have memories of Dorothea they wish to share, can email retirednorthportteachers@gmail.com. Please write Website Memories as the subject, and include your name and former school.

Rod Jennings, retired Northport – East Northport music teacher, passed away on June 26 in Palm Beach, Florida. Rod taught music from 1965-1990 at Northport High School, Bellerose Avenue, Middleville Junior High and East Northport Junior High.

During his career in choral music and theater arts, Rod taught in Ohio and Massachusetts, as well as Northport, and he produced many choral concerts and Broadway shows. He retired to West Palm Beach, Florida, and in his retirement years, he wrote and directed community plays for the the Union Congregational Church in West Palm Beach.

He was predeceased by his spouse of 32 years, Philip Bruderman, and he is survived by his nephew, Larry Jennings. Rod will be laid to rest next to family in Bluffton, Ohio. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Union Congregational church at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 24.

R-UTN members who have memories of Rod they wish to share, can email retirednorthportteachers@gmail.com. Please write Website Memories as the subject, and include your name and former school.