I was so sorry when I heard that she was ill, and now with her passing, we are losing a wonderful person. All of her achievement will keep her alive.

Léa C. Hammond-Sampson

We the Board of The Barnard School Foundation are very saddened to learn of our colleague's passing. Verne was an active and dedicated Board member with a wealth of knowledge and experience in private schools, and that she shared to everyone's benefit. We will truly miss her.

Lofton Moore, Secretary, The Barnard School Foundation

My Mrs O.
She's seen it all, from the Time of Depression, The Civil Movement, to our 1st Black President. She made us see through her eyes that things weren't as tough when we didn't believe.
She gave me a job. She made me read books. Yes, made! She was NOT having it, plus there was no way she'd let you out of it. She put me in school. Who on earth does that?! She did and was proud for it.

Part 2
She cared for us, our children and our community.
I am honored to have had her in my life. Even now can can still hear her voice."There's no such thing as can't." or "Your head is more than a hat rack!" I can go on and on.

Verne Oliver was a magnificent teacher and a magnificent human being, and she profoundly influenced my life, including serving as an inspiration when I became a teacher myself. A photograph of Verne is the last thing I see when I leave my office to go to class, and the first thing students see when they come to visit. It will remain a blessing to have known her. Edward Rocklin, NLS 1966

Verne was my teacher in my senior year at New Lincoln (66-67). I have always been inspired by her wisdom and her humanity. Her memory will always be a blessing to all of us who knew her.

Verne Oliver, a dear friend of many decades will be sorely missed.
She always sparkled like a diamond in a pail of rhinestones.
Jerome Lawrence Castle

Verne was an inspiring teacher for so many of us, and so many of her former students were inspired by her to, in turn, become teachers. David Oppenheimer -- NLS '68

I always looked forward to getting 'sent to the principal's office'. Verne would make cinnamon toast as we talked about what brought me to her warm, sun-drenched office overlooking the park. NLS was home to me, and Verne was like a mother. She personified integrity, elegance, self-respect and excellence. But what I'll always remember most was her infinite kindness. She affected so many.

We have lost a legend in our field. But her work, her passion, and her dedication to us and to young people all over will live on in all of us. She mentored and inspired so many of us and is one of the reasons that we became educators. Verne, thanks for all you did and for how you lived your life. We love you and will never forget you. Peace, my friend!

Verne was the principal at New Lincoln school, an incredible school that I attended from 4-12 grades. She knew every one of us. She was an amazing, wonderful, dedicated educator/woman who impacted so many lives. A piece of her is now a part of each of us who knew her. How many people in the world can say THAT about their principal, eh?! (Thank you, Kelsey Lindsey, for this site.)

For three years Verne (Oliver) was not my primary teacher but a teacher in an often co-taught class: 10th, 11th and 12th grades. I clearly remember were as someone who for me between the ages of 15+ and 17+ was a 'found of wisdom': thoughtful, reflective, inspired (in a low key yet most compelling manner), someone who influenced you.
,

I am about 40 years older than Mrs. Oliver was when she came to NLS for the first time as our 10 th grade teacher in 1958
In her 30's she was as powerfully strong and influential in her marvelous abilities as a visionary and teacher as she continued to be until her death. She will always remain in my psyche/soul as a beacon of light RIP Mrs.O.

Verne was an amazing human being. She was an outstanding teacher and administrator. She was warm, funny, smart, supportive, and I think made most of not all of us at NLS feel special. When I was in New Lincoln, we used to call her The Big O, which was a tribute to how outsized her influence was on us. She will be sorely missed. Goodbye Verne.

Verne was a wonderfully nuanced educator. She was an interested and informed teacher who cared about each of her students. I know I have always held her in a special place, as a model of who I try to be when I teach and supervise. And I remember her support and warmth towards me during the turbulent times of late adolescence.

Grace, kindness, strength and beauty. What a gift to have had her in our lives at our coming of age. She showed us how it was done! NLS '67 Jane Lambert Peck

Ms.Oliver was one of a kind,she was a great human being. A devoted person in everything she did. I thank god for putting her in my life. I'm deeply sad over this lost and she's now in heaven smiling down. You will forever be miss.Thank you for helping in all the ways you did..May you rest in peace.

Verne was the mentor, guidance, leader and spiritual force that made New Lincoln the best school ever. Her smile and physical presence filled the room. She somehow knew each of her students and their families so well. She gave generously to education and to all who knew her, setting her students on their life paths. I will always think of her as one of the biggest influences on me.

Mrs Oliver, as all of her students' remember her by, was first and foremost an exceptional teacher. Her impact on all who were taught by her at NLS is a memory that I am sure, is still impacting our lives today.
NLS - 64

Life

I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me
as good belongs to you.


-Walt Whitman

Mrs. Oliver told me a slightly risque joke once - which I won't repeat - that made me blush. I think she laughed louder than i did. She was a big, beautiful, strong and intelligent woman and one of the best teachers I ever had. Thank you very much for all you've given me and many, many others - NLS - '66 - Bill

Verne was one of the warmest, most positive people I have ever met. I will never forget how kindly she embraced me when I returned to New Lincoln. And I remember the law class she cotaught my senior year!

Mrs. Oliver was an extraordinary teacher and a strong, dynamic, beautiful woman. I carry her influence with me and think of her regularly and with great fondness almost 50 years beyond our formal relationship. I will miss her.

Mrs. Oliver will definitely be missed! She helped make me believe in myself and know that I could accomplish anything that I put my mind to! Her strength gave me strength to grow and learn and be trhe best I could be and do all I could to help others as she helped me! She will be forever missed!
New Lincoln - 1972 - 1976

I'm so sorry that I missed "Mrs. Oliver" - her health failed just before our 50th class reunion where she had been expected. I owe to her a lifelong awareness of and interest in Africa. No doubt we all owe her for the many little contributions to our character and consciousness that she left us with. Surely she lives on through those.

I will miss Verne Oliver. She left a legacyof state of the art school libraries for parocial school students. She instilled a love of reading,a desire to seek the best that education could offer,and even. trainied parents to work in her libraries. She was a most genrous and gentle
friend.

Thank you Madam Oliver for your support, wisdom and guidance. You we're our fearless leader, always there for a laugh or advice. I thank you for all you did for me at New Lincoln school. 81' R.I.P Verne Oliver.
Marci M '81

Verne was a guide who listened well and set me on a course through high school and then off to college to fulfill my aspirations. She had faith in me that let me have the self-assurance I needed. I am forever grateful to her. I know I am one many lives she made happier, healthier and more fulfilling. She will stay in my heart where she has been all these years. NLS '74 Steve G

During an extraordinary moment of transition in our own lives, and in the life of this country, "Mrs. Oliver" (as I will always remember her) was a quiet inspiration. An inspired educator and a truly elegant woman. I am always so amazed by the lives that were made better by Verne and NLS. After a long, well-lived life, I hope she does not rest, but spreads her grace across the universe...

Though I was only at New Lincoln for one year, I remember Verne Oliver among all others. She was THAT teacher - the one you chose when someone asked you about your favorite, the teacher you remember...

Verne had an enormous impact on me as a person. I can't thank her enough for everything she generously taught me. Verne, may you rest in peace.

Verne was one of those rare individuals so dedicated to helping others pursue their dreams. She guided me in ways I still do not fully appreciate. She guided me to my specific college which started a long and fulfilling career. She had a huge impact in my life and so many others. I will miss her greatly.

Thank you for helping to make me more than I could ever have been otherwise. I will always treasure the memories of my days at New Lincoln, and of all you did to try and keep me on the proper path, both in my 11 years as a student and the time that I spent working there.. May you rest in peace.