August 22, 2017
Dear Alumni and CSS Community Members,
It is with sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of Dr. Mary Flemke on Saturday, August 19, 2017. Dr. Mary Flemke served as the sixth Head of The Colorado Springs School from 1989-2000. During Dr. Flemke’s headship The Colorado Springs School made significant increases in enrollment and completed major building projects, including the El Pomar Academic Center and Louisa Performing Arts Center, two of the cornerstones of our beautiful campus. Her influence upon and contributions to The Colorado Springs School are profound and enduring.
I first met Dr. Mary in 1996 when I was 22 and interviewing for my first teaching job. I went on to teach for her for the next three years until her retirement at the end of the 1999-2000 school year. During that time and since, I have admired her for many reasons. As many who knew her well would agree, Mary was a strong leader who was never afraid to stand up for what she believed. She expected a great deal from herself and in doing so set the bar high for students, faculty, and for the school itself. Each year at Commencement, we award the Mary Flynn Flemke Leadership in Education award to a member of the faculty and staff of CSS who epitomizes high accomplishment in the education of students and the advancement of the school. Specifically, it is awarded to a faculty member who demonstrates the qualities that Dr. Mary admired most: leading by example, loyalty to the school, and combining the leadership skills to make sure the right things get done with the managerial skills to make sure things get done right.
I’m thankful to have known and worked for Mary Flemke when she was Head of The Colorado Springs School, and I’m especially grateful for the time she spent with me over the last three years to offer me personal encouragement and sage advice about leading CSS. Our condolences go out to her family.
Click here for her obituary and details for the Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial.
Warmly,
Aaron Schubach
Head of School
