For 25 years at Milton, Lida Famili has embodied John Dewey’s idea: “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” Lida views her role primarily as helping students develop into young adults, and teaching chemistry only secondarily. Lida deeply respects and cares for students; her focus, in combination with her excellent background in chemistry, has made Lida the heart and soul of the science department. As one Class II student said, “Ms. Famili brightened my day every time I saw her. I will miss her daily hugs. I’m blessed to know Ms. Famili.” Lida’s compassion seems boundless. She goes out of her way to help students and adults. Lida would often ask my advice about a student situation. Regardless of what I said, I knew well that ultimately she would do what she thought was in the student’s best interest. Lida has taken many under her wing; for her, that’s part of leading a meaningful and thoughtful life. “Ms. Famili makes me feel as if I were her own child,” one student said. Kindness is Lida’s hallmark, but she also strongly holds certain ideals and is willing to fight for them tenaciously. Lida is unafraid to put a stake in the ground, even if her views are not commonly held. I respect the well-developed sense of right and wrong that guides her life.
Lida’s excellence as a teacher has also been an important part of her role at Milton. While she pushes her students to learn chemistry, she also strives to make sure the material is relevant to their lives. Lida wants to make sure that the chemistry students learn will affect their lives in concrete and meaningful ways—including food chemistry, for example, in her curriculum.
With great sadness we say goodbye to Lida. We know fi rsthand, however, that she will shower her love and compassion upon all her family members. If I know Lida, she will teach them some chemistry along the way. Lida, we love you, and we will miss you. We lament the decrease in hugs that will follow your retirement. We have been blessed to be your friends, students and colleagues. Michael Edgar, Science Department Chair