remembering lorene richardson

Lorene Richardson

food services manager

Greenhill mourns the loss of beloved Greenhill Legend Lorene Richardson, who passed on Saturday, February 6, 2021, due to complications from the COVID-19 virus.

Richardson, the longest tenured employee in Greenhill history, began working in the cafeteria in 1967. She became the food services manager in 1973, a position she held for 40 years, spending her days ensuring the Greenhill community was well fed. Richardson retired in 2013 after 46 years at Greenhill.

In an era of five-day rotating menus, members of the Greenhill community remember Thursdays fondly because the smell of fried chicken was always in the air. “For generations of Greenhill students, Lorene’s warm and welcoming smile and her uncanny ability to remember all our names fed our spirits, while her Ranger cookies, chicken fried steak, and real-deal cream gravy fed our souls,” Assistant Head of School Tom Perryman ’81 recalled.

Former Head of Middle School and fellow Greenhill Legend, Lucinda Carter, remembers, “I never heard Lorene say a harsh word. She fed us well for many, many years. She had a generous spirit and wonderful smile.”

Richardson was the first person to be named an Honorary Alumna by the Greenhill Alumni Association in 1988, and a Heart of the Hill legacy group was named in her honor in 2011.

Richardson is survived by her husband Robert, daughter Tara Richardson ’87, and grandsons David and Kennard.

Lorene's Peanut Butter Bars

crust

1 (16-oz.) box graham crackers, finely crushed 1 firmly packed cup brown sugar 2 sticks margarine, melted

Crush graham crackers by placing them in a Ziplock bag and rolling over them with a rolling pin. Mix brown sugar with cracker crumbs; then add melted margarine. Mix thoroughly. Spread evenly in a 9 x 13inch pan, firmly pressing the cracker mixture into a smooth layer.

f illing

1 pound jar smooth peanut butter 2 sticks margarine 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted Mix the peanut butter, margarine, and powdered sugar until smooth. Top with your favorite chocolate icing. Cut into squares and serve.

middle school band teacher tony lopez captured the beauty of greenhill in the snow during the february 2021 winter storm.

Photo credit: Tony Lopez