Students Honor Fairfield Preschool Teacher After Cancer Death

FAIRFIELD, CT — Former students of a beloved Fairfield preschool teacher gathered Saturday to honor her memory.

Known as Ms. Dee, Deanna Marie Herlihy ran Curiosity Corner preschool for about two decades before closing the school last year when her breast cancer returned after nearly 20 years in remission. She was 61 when she died in June. A memorial bench has been installed at Veres Park as a testament to her legacy.

“She touched a lot of lives in Fairfield and I know myself as a mother, when you leave your child with somebody, it’s a big deal to trust them,” said Debra Cingari, Herlihy’s sister, in a quote provided by Herlihy’s niece, Breanna Suden.

Cingari and Herlihy’s friend, Amanda Morgan Parrish, worked together to get the memorial approved by the town just 10 days after Herlihy’s death. In addition to being a preschool teacher, Herlihy was a grandmother and a nature lover.

On Saturday, past Curiosity Corner parents and students led a bike procession from James Street to Veres Park, cheered on by Herlihy’s family as well as neighbors and friends, according to Suden. The bikes were decorated with each student’s name and class year, as well as custom bike bells and a balloon.

At the park, state Rep. Brian Farnen cut the ceremonial ribbon for the memorial bench. One of Herlihy’s former students and his mother spoke about Herlihy’s impact on their family and the Fairfield community. Cingari presented a replica of Herlihy’s red house, which Cingari hopes to see installed beside the memorial bench as a Little Free Library to honor Herlihy’s love of reading to her students.

“Ms. Dee was someone who always made me feel safe and loved. I knew that if I ever needed something, she was there for me,” former Curiosity Corner student and helper Emily McCarthy said in a quote provided by Suden. “... She was the one who helped me find my love of working with kids. I will miss her dearly.”