Emma Berardelli '26
This past December, Fontbonne Hall Academy, as well as all of Brooklyn, experienced a major loss. On December 31, 2023, former Fontbonne principal, Sister Dolores F. Crepeau, passed away at age 75.
Dolores was born on April 13th, 1949 and from her early days, lived a devoted life of service. In 1968, she joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph convent in Brentwood, Long Island. Dolores’ journey did not end there, she was an educator, principal, and guidance councelor of multiple Catholic schools in the Brooklyn area, including St. Thomas Aquinas, Fontbonne Hall Academy, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Her role as principal of Fontbonne from 2005 to 2013 was an extremely impressionable and important time at Fontbonne. Sister Dolores played a very active role in Fontbonne’s administrative efforts. From checking on students’ well being to making sure the after school busses were running properly, Sister Dolores truly put her heart and soul into her work.
After news of her passing was announced on the Fontbonne Hall Academy Instagram page, many former students shared heartfelt condolences in the comments that truly show Sister Dolores’ impact. Elisa Richard shared, “Sister Dolores was the kindest, most empathetic woman,” and Elizabeth Conte commented that Dolores was, “An incredible principal who I was lucky enough to know”.
Her excellence as a leader and dedication as an educator was recognized not only by students but also by the NY Times and NY Daily News. In 2003, Sister Dolores received the NY Times’ “Teachers who Make a Difference” award. Later she was awarded the NY Daily News “Hometown Hero of Education” award.
Throughout her many years of service, Sister Dolores continued to be acknowledged for a variety of her contributions to Catholic education. In fact, in 2010 Sister Dolores was given an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by the Saint Francis College in Brooklyn.
Sister Dolores truly left a lasting impact on the places she worked and the lives she encountered. Many of the Fontbonne faculty remember her still today and their time working beside her. Physical Education teacher, Ms. Ellen Nicoll, remembers her to be “a very caring woman who truly shared a great love for our Fontbonne family”, while also sharing that it was “a pleasure to have worked with her”.
On a personal note, my mother Denise Farrell, graduate and former SAC president of O.L.P.H. high school, remembers Sister Dolores fondly. They worked hand in hand on many activities and Farrell remembers Dolores as “a tough woman with a caring and gentle heart who was encouraging to all”.
It is unfortunate that Sister Dolores had to leave so soon, but the Lord was calling her to Him. A wake was held on January 5th, 2024, at Saint Xavier Church, which is where her education journey began.
Though her time on earth has ended, Sister Dolores’ legacy will be remembered as will the love that she instilled within the walls of Fontbonne.
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