Former D-DHS coach loses battle with cancer
By Jennifer Cesarz
Correspondent
For many students who attended Delavan-Darien School District, Deb Ludlow was that one teacher who made a difference in their lives.
Ludlow taught health and physical education and coached tennis in the district for more 30 years before retiring in 2012. Ludlow died July 7 from cancer.
“Deb’s death has brought tremendous sadness into my life and to the lives of many,” D-DHS physical education teacher and tennis coach Sandee Ortiz wrote in an email about her friend. “She was more than just a colleague and mentor, she was a true friend. The lessons she taught me extend beyond the classroom.”
One of Ludlow’s passions was health and keeping kids active and healthy as she felt a healthy student produced more success in the classroom. This is one of the reason’s Ludlow spearheaded a grant-writing committee and was successful in securing the $1 million Carol M. White Physical Education Grant for the district and community in 2009.
“I cannot express to you the full impact of Deb’s work with the PEP grant,” Ortiz wrote. “It transformed the entire culture and climate at D-DHS.”
Ortiz said the school lunch program has now incorporated a salad bar, and soda machines have been eliminated from the school.
“The only thing Deb regretted about the grant was that it pulled her out of the classroom,” Ortiz wrote. “The PEP grant covered the cost of hiring a long-term sub to cover her teaching duties while she fully implemented the plan that we presented in our grant proposal.”
D-DHS head volleyball coach and former student Jean Jacobs said Ludlow spent much time and energy in the gym working on the grant.
“I remember … all her attempts to keep students physically and mentally fit,” Jacobs said. “Ms. Ludlow was the rock in the physical education department who would never take any credit.”
D-DHS physical education teacher Hank Johnson was also a former student of Ludlow’s and said she had a strong work ethic, especially when it came to obtaining the grant.
“I would often find her in her office working on the weekends,” Johnson said.
2011 D-DHS graduate Alana Cesarz recalls Ludlow’s efforts as well.
“I was really grateful for the effort I saw her put in to get our high school the grant so other students and I could experience those fun opportunities most other schools didn’t get.”
Ludlow wasn’t just a great teacher and advocate for a healthy lifestyle, but a caring friend, teacher and mentor.
“The PEP grant was just a small portion of what she did,” Ortiz wrote. “Deb’s legacy should be remembered for the 32 years of teaching and devotion she gave to the staff at DDHS.
“She was great with the kids, especially the at-risk students. She was always a fair and caring teacher and a gracious colleague.”
Jacobs remembers her as a teacher “everybody wanted to be around.”
“She always had an encouraging smile on her face and an energizing step in her walk that I admired and could contribute to her healthy lifestyle,” Jacobs said. “She always encouraged me to push my limits physically and mentally.”
Cesarz said Ludlow was also very nice and knew she cared about her beyond the classroom.
When Jacobs took over the volleyball program at D-DHS, she said Ludlow was the same as she remembered her to be.
“As an adult she didn’t change her style,” Jacobs said. “She always was truly invested in what I had to say and provided encouraging words to support my activities at the high school.”
Johnson agrees.
“Deb was my physical education teacher, coworker, mentor and friend,” Johnson said. “I was fortunate to work with her for three years while she worked on the grant. I learned how to run a classroom and become the best teacher I could be.”
“I will always think of her as one of my role models and will cherish knowing her and having her as a friend,” he said.
Outside of school, Ludlow loved the outdoors and animals, specifically her dogs and cats. She also loved to bike, ski and run.
“Deb was always so strong and active; she was usually up at 4 a.m. working out before school,” Ortiz wrote.
Jacobs said she will miss many things about Ludlow.
“I will miss our talks about her dogs, bird watching and where to get running shoes,” she said. “I will also miss her genuine smile when seeing me and her sincere conversations and helpful insight to coaching. She will always have my respect for her dedication and love of her career.”
“I truly miss her,” Ortiz said. “However, I am relieved that she is no longer suffering and has moved on to a more peaceful place. I am happy that her dreams did come true. She will forever be in my heart and the hearts of many.”
