Most people enjoyed preschool, but as time passes, memories start to fade, unless you were a student of Anne D’Arcangelis.
In recent weeks, several have joined together to share vivid memories, in most cases decades later.
“Mrs. D’Arcangelis always made it just really exciting and she was very dramatic in the best way,” says former student Amanda Schettini.
Starting in the late 1970s, D’Arcangelis taught at Animal Crackers Nursery School in Coxsackie. She retired in 2001. Her husband passed away a year later.
In recent years, things have been hard, which is why her former students are raising money. More than 70 people have contributed. Many say they learned valuable life lessons from D’Arcangelis.
“She really was a huge, important member of the community and she still is. People don’t forget that,” says Abby Hammond, a former student.
The fundraiser has been kept a secret from D’Arcangelis, but her children quickly discovered the GoFundMe after it was shared on social media.
Despite years of being stopped in the grocery store by families asking how their mother is, the fundraiser was unexpected.
“I guess I didn’t really think about the impact she had on all of those students, and there were so, so many,” says Valerie Galante, one of D’Arcangelis’ daughters.
Students say they hope D’Arcangelis knows how much she means to them. Whether it was by introducing them to their favorite book, or making a custom graduation hat for a stuffed bunny, each say they have been impacted by her kindness.
“Just to be able to participate in this for somebody who has molded and shaped us from a very young age, it was just great to be a part of,” says Benjamin Jump, a former student.
