After more than three decades at the helm, Rose DeFer is bidding farewell to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Phoenix, with an educational legacy that's proven as impactful as it is enduring. The multifaceted DeFer, who once called the school her second home starting with her early education, has worn many hats — as a teacher, administrator, and development director, among others.
DeFer's journey at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School has been nothing short of a testament to her devotion to the school and its students. In a statement obtained by ABC15, DeFer recalled her multi-faceted roles including head of fundraising and drama club teacher, reflecting on the impact she's had through the years. Her investment in the school wasn't purely professional; it was also deeply personal, with three of her daughters following in her footsteps as students there. This blurring of lines between profession and family life epitomizes the commitment DeFer has had to the institution.
Not only has DeFer been pivotal in her various roles within the school — which earned her a spotlight on the school's website — but her influence extended to ensuring that no family was ever turned away for lack of funds, as reported by West Valley View. The Daughters of Charity, who DeFer praised for their unwavering support, played a crucial role in the school's ability to welcome all students regardless of financial status. This value was instilled in DeFer early on and remained a guiding principle throughout her career, especially in her role as development director where she wrote grants and fostered donor relationships to support the school's mission.
Retirement might mean stepping away from the daily grind, but DeFer's plans suggest the grind doesn't step away from you so easily. She's set to organize the archive room at St. Vincent de Paul, hoping to preserve its history. "I know a lot about the history of the school, so I want to help get the archive room in order and share with other people about some of the history of the school, so that it doesn’t get lost when people like me retire who have been there so long and went there," DeFer told West Valley View.
