EAST PROVIDENCE – On September 19, in the shadow of the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the new David and Lynn Angell Writing Center was dedicated at Saint Mary Academy-Bay View.
Many of the young women gathered for the ceremony in the newly-designed suite, were only 10 or 11 years old when David and Lynn departed Boston on September 11, 2001 aboard Flight 11 headed home to Los Angeles. At 8:45 a.m. that flight was deliberately crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, beginning what will be remembered as a day of horror and tragedy for the survivors of 3,000 victims, and the United States of America.
Seven years later, the heartache and loss suffered by the Angell family gave rise to a dream for the Saint Mary Academy-Bay View community: a new writing center. Bay View President Sister Elizabeth McAuliffe welcomed Bishop Kenneth Angell, Bishop Emeritus of Burlington Vermont and former Auxiliary Bishop of Providence, and Claire Angell-Miller a 1949 St. Mary graduate and David’s sister.
“We are truly honored to have Bishop Kenneth Angell and Claire Angell Miller with us as we dedicate the David and Lynn Angell Writing Center,” Sr. McAuliffe said. “David was a writer and Lynn was a librarian so words, writing and books meant a great deal to both of them. Hopefully this center will help Bay View’s budding authors and wordsmiths become creative and compelling writers and follow in David’s footsteps.”
A native Rhode Islander, David Angell was the Emmy award-winning writer and producer for Hollywood smash hits such as Cheers, Frasier and Wings. David’s sister Claire was genuinely enthused by the center, and appeared very inspired in the presence of the girls, faculty and guests.
“It is wonderful to be back. It ‘s like coming home. But,” she added, “things have really changed around here. I wish you could have seen our uniforms – navy woolen skirts and sweaters with stiff white collars.”
She paused and looked at the girls. “Have you ever worn wool in June?”
They responded with laughter and respect. Her voice got softer and her eyes filled with the obvious love and loss she holds for her brother and sister-in-law. “David and Lynn would be so proud, I so wish they could be here with us.”
The Angell Foundation is a grant-making organization that builds upon the charitable promise of David and Lynn Angell by promoting and advancing high-impact programs that help people empower themselves. Bay View Principal Colleen Gribbin said, “Bay View prides itself on providing specialized environments where students of all ability levels may go to improve their skills and further develop their talents. Among these are the Wellness Center with the ample gym space and the workout area, the high tech math lab, the state of the art language lab, and our sophisticated science equipment.” She continued, “Until now, there has not been a dedicated space conducive to the writing process both as a resource area for students to develop and improve their written communications skills and as a sophisticated, inviting environment where the gifted writer can go let her creative juices flow.”
Bishop Angell projected an intense pride in the accomplishments of his brother David, but more important to him was David and Lynn’s continuing practice of their faith.
“I thought to myself back when he decided to pick up and head west, ‘Oh, no. Not Hollywood!’ but off he went.
“He and Lynn were special people,” he said with a light in his eyes. “Although they lived in Hollywood, they always kept their faith.”
He described his brother as talented, tenacious but, above all generous and faith-driven.
The Bishop blessed the new center with Holy Water. Senior Liliana Martinez, who hopes to pursue a career in the humanities, was very happy to be a part of something so special. “Writing is extremely important and this center will help so many of us achieve success in our studies,” she said. “The Angells have left a legacy for learning and creativity. This is wonderful for Bay View.”
Junior Arianna Santopietro agreed. “This space is bright and cheerful, a place created to inspire us to write and to find laughter and joy in our own words. It is great!”
The old guidance department is now a five-room suite for writing, resource and inspiration. Moved to tears, English Department Chair Sister Carol Jussaume, RSM summed up the day. “This is a dream come true. You have no idea the impact you have made providing this David and Lynn Angell Writing Center. Thank you- thank- thank you!”
