Kildonan School founder Diana Hanbury King’s life celebrated

AMENIA— The legacy of Diana Hanbury King’s life was honored during a weekend celebration at her beloved Kildonan School on Saturday, Sept. 29, and Sunday, Sept. 30.

An educator and dyslexia pioneer, King turned her passion for teaching into a career, leading to the creation of Camp Dunnabeck in Pennsylvania and The Kildonan School in Amenia. She passed away in her home at age 90 on Friday, June 15.

The memorial celebration began Saturday evening near the Kildonan School tennis courts. Long after the sun had set, the celebration of King’s life carried on as guests and loved ones dined and made friends at the picnic tables bordering a bonfire.

Having met King for the first time in 1992, Amenia resident Deborah Kravchuk said King was the first person to diagnose her with dyslexia when Kravchuk first started tutor training at Kildonan School. She said King became a lifelong friend as the two of them bonded over their mutual love of gardening.

Certified dyslexia practitioner Evelyn Gross Whitebay remembered sitting on King’s couch and discussing her concerns regarding dyslexic students and adults and their education. 

“I live out her quote, which is ‘Go change lives,’” Whitebay said. “It was such an honor and a privilege to know her, and she’s such a great source of my inspiration and the children I serve.”

In addition to King’s loved ones and Kildonan School faculty, the gathering welcomed a friendly crowd of alumni from across the country and world, all of whom congregated near the bonfire and recounted memories of their school days. 

“It’s great to reconnect, it’s great to see not only the students who came here but all the professionals that came to this school,” said Robert Lane, a former Kildonan School teacher and academic dean. “Her ripple, her influence will continue for years and years to come.”

As the mother of a former Kildonan School student, Louise Donovan expressed endless gratitude toward King for helping her son, Evan, with his dyslexia.

“It changed my life,” Donovan said. “The first time I met her, I thanked her. I had tears in my eyes. She knew exactly what was going on with him and how to take care of him and how to teach him, and it was magnificent. She was a magnificent person.”

Head of School Kevin Pendergast thanked everyone for coming before introducing Karl Oppenheimer, a former Kildonan School student who began studying with King in 1982. Oppenheimer spoke of King’s compassion and talent for helping students “find the light.” 

“Regardless of what we did, she always found a way to turn it into a way to build our confidence,” Oppenheimer said. “As we reflect, we have great appreciation, but I think it’s particularly important to remember all the joyous times as well and remember these are the ways, sometimes the mysterious ways, she helped us find our life.”

The celebration carried into Sunday afternoon with a memorial service held in the school’s athletic center at 1 p.m. 

With Richmond Johnson leading the processional, the service featured opening remarks by King’s son, Christopher King, and a performance of his “The Skye Boat Song.” The service concluded with a toast and a sing-a-long of “Leave Her, Johnny, Leave Her.”

While King is no longer present to walk The Kildonan School grounds or mentor the students enrolled there, her memory remains — as does her impact on the many students who have passed through its hallowed halls.