Discover why Dorothy St. Jean chose to further educational opportunities for Barry students.

When Dorothy St. Jean graduated from high school in the 1940s, few career paths were open to women. She chose a secretarial vocational program, then worked as a legal secretary for her defense attorney husband, Harvey St. Jean.

After Harvey died in 1974, Dorothy dedicated herself to charitable and cultural causes throughout South Florida. She was a frequent attendee at American Cancer Society galas and Chopin Foundation concerts.

“Everybody loved Dorothy,” said her attorney, Eric Sulzberger, who also knew her as a family friend. “Having her at the table made it more fun. She was a little irreverent and wasn’t shy about speaking her mind, but she would do it in a positive way. She would say what other people were thinking.”

Neither Dorothy nor her only brother had children, so after her death last year at the age of 92, she bequeathed her money as a charitable legacy. She was both a devout Catholic—she gave a gift to her local parish—and someone deeply committed to creating educational opportunities for all—she provided funds to the Dade Community Foundation to support scholarships for the children of fallen police officers.

She funded the Harvey and Dorothy St. Jean Endowed Nursing Scholarship at Barry, where her Catholic and educational passions married.

“Education was important to her,” said Sulzberger. “She didn’t get it and wanted others to have it. She never remarried after Harvey’s death 50 years ago, and the endowed scholarship is a way to keep his name alive.”

To discover how you can create your own legacy, contact Smilka Melgoza at 305-981-8182 and smelgoza@barry.edu today.