Aylmer community rallies to honour school administrator with commemorative benches 

Sophie Demers 

Donna Norris was a beloved member of the Lord Aylmer elementary school community. As an administrator, mother and grandmother, she was loved by many. After passing away from cancer earlier this year, her family wanted to do something to commemorate her and her impact at the school. The idea of installing Buddy Benches came soon after. 

“She worked for the Western Quebec School Board for probably around 20 years in different capacities, but mainly she was an administrator,” said Norris’s daughter Sara Bulhoes, explaining that it was her mother-in-law who first introduced her to the idea of Buddy Benches. “They called her Miss Donna when she was there. She was just very involved in the school. She loved her role working with the children and she was proud of her work there.” 

Buddy benches, sometimes referred to as friendship benches, were created to combat isolation, encourage empathy, and foster community. Young students can sit on them when they are feeling left out, have no one to play with, or need someone to talk to. The goal is that their peers will see and go help them. 

After receiving some memorial donations for the benches, word of the project got to Cathy Dubreuil Mellon. Mellon is chair of the governing board for the Western Quebec Career Centre (WQCC) and a volunteer and organizer in the community. After hearing of the project, she contacted Wei Jun Shang, the Welding Instructor. By chance, the students' final project this year was park benches. 

Two of the students, Keith Stickland and Lin Liluan (Lya Lin) donated their benches. After the benches were acquired, the next step was getting them painted. Mellon went to speak to Stéphane Durand and staff from Aylmer Collision/Fit-It Auto, who offered to paint the benches for free. 

Sara Bulhoes then got painted metal rainbow letters spelling “Buddy Bench” made and attached to the benches, as well as a commemorative plaque. The bright blue benches were installed last week, one at Lord Aylmer’s junior campus and the other at the senior campus. 

According to Mellon, Donna Norris attended the WQCC years ago. Her first placement was at the elementary school where they liked her so much, they hired her permanently. “It’s a very full circle moment,” she said. 

“We're very proud. It's a nice way to honour her,” said Bulhoes. “She spent a good chunk of her life there and it was something she wanted to get back to doing and she never got back there. So it's kind of nice that there is something there so her time at the school will be remembered.” 

The generosity of the community meant that there was fundraising money left over. Bulhoes says they are talking to the school and the money will be donated there in the coming weeks. 

Photo: The newly installed buddy benches in honour of Lord Aylmer administrator Miss Donna, who passed away from cancer earlier this year. Lord Aylmer students Logan and Madison Pyke, 

Grade 3 and Grade 6.