JD: I grew up in White Plains, New York, a northern suburb of Manhattan. I received a B.A. in English at Mount Holyoke College and a Master’s at Tufts University, both in Massachusetts. I met my husband, Andy, who was at Harvard University and we were married the week of our graduation. We lived in Cambridge until he finished business school, then he went into the Navy. We wound up in Washington, DC, living on Capitol Hill. Both of our children, Judith and Peter, were born there. Andy was at the Pentagon, and I worked on Capitol Hill, monitoring legislation for the private sector. We moved to Miami in 1973 with two tiny kids and didn’t know anyone.

JD: It was great to teach students who were bright and receptive. They were well-prepared and really enjoyed learning. I also enjoyed having colleagues that I liked and respected. I really felt I was working with some very exceptional people. There was a group of us contemporaries who got along well and truly liked each other. We had a lot of freedom, and I appreciated that.

JD: Of course, there were the physical changes to campus, a new gym and auditorium, for instance, but as the school grew, it became more diverse, which was a good thing.

JD: I miss the stimulation and sense of purpose, but I was totally ready to retire. My mother was in her 90s and I wanted to be available to her. I do get a sense of purpose, gratification and connection through the volunteer work I do at The Children’s Bereavement Center. 

JD: I’m not a hobbyist, but I do stay busy with a lot of different activities. I’m a member of a funding arts network, which awards grants to local arts organizations, a loyal alumna volunteer of Mount Holyoke College, I attend Zumba class, go to two book clubs, and of course, volunteer whenever possible. My husband and I have reentered the world (after Covid) and enjoy entertaining, visiting with friends and going to concerts. We spent the month of September in Australia and New Zealand. 

From the 2010 RE Log: A Tribute to Buzzie Borona, by Jane Dolkart

“As a new English teacher in the fall of 1980 and knowing Ransom Everglades' fine reputation, I was a bit apprehensive about fitting in, not only with the students but also with the faculty. I needn't have worried because on the first day, a blonde bombshell - "My real name's Suzanne, but everyone calls me Buzzie" - welcomed me and took me under her wing, showing me the way things are done at RE.

Throughout our many years together as colleagues, we shared ideas while also becoming good friends. Although I always appreciated Buzzie's organizational skills and knowledge of the curriculum, most of all I admired her creativity, sense of humor and instinctive connection with the students. 

Here are some of my best memories of working with Buzzie:

Before St. Alban's Day became the semi-spectacular event it is today with rented rides, balloon arches and food booths, Buzzie and I were the faculty sponsors who had to come up with activities that would be fun for the kids, big and little, on a small budget. Piñatas, homemade cookies, movies, decorating Christmas trees and, of course, Santa provided entertainment for the little ones and great participation by the students. Each year at the end of the day, we breathed a satisfied sigh of relief when the kids were smiling, no one was lost and there was no rain.

Another fond recollection was teaching the same senior elective together. Since "two heads are better than one," we often collaborated on the curriculum and assignments, but the highlight was taking our classes to Little Havana in connection with reading a wonderful book about Cuban exiles called The Perez Family. We had a great time visiting Domino Park, stopping into a Santeria shop and munching on medianoches. Our field trip illustrated the point that hands-on learning can be effective and fun, especially with a colleague and friend along.

Finally, a few years ago, Buzzie and I, along with other colleagues, took a cruise to the Bahamas so that we could learn about schools in other settings and earn continuing education credits. Always at home on a boat or beach, Buzzie and her zest for life made the trip enjoyable and memorable.”