Louise Henderson: Teacher, Counselor, Camp Director

Louise LaBlavier Henderson passed away on May 24 in Connecticut after a long illness. She was the mother of Louise Fritts Johnson and mother-in-law of Stewart Johnson of Darien.

Louise grew up in Darien. She attended the Thomas School in Rowayton prior to attending Wellesley College, from which she graduated in 1955. Subsequently, she received a master's degree in history from Stanford University.

Louise was an educator. Believing in young people and their abilities and aspirations, Louise inspired hundreds of girls at the Castilleja School in Palo Alto, CA, the Chapin School in New York City and the Sunset Hill School in Kansas City, MO where she was Headmistress for five years in the 1960s.

As a teacher she shared her passion for and knowledge of history for many years. She also was the college guidance counselor at the Chapin School for over 25, years helping many students think through the college application process.

Louise was also a camping educator. Her mother's family owned and directed Camp Arcadia in Casco, ME. Louise was a camper at Camp Arcadia for many summers and became a counselor, head counselor and a director with her sister, Anne Henderson Fritts. Anne's daughter, Louise Fritts Johnson, is currently a director, assisted by her sisters and brother.

Louise was predeceased by her father and mother, Lucien and Juliette Henderson, and her sister, Margaret Floyd.

In addition to her daughter, Louise Johnson, Louise Henderson is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Jack Fritts of New Vernon, NJ, their children and families, Katherine H. Fritts and Steven Cappel of Atlanta, GA, Jean and Daniel Eskenazi of London, England and Frank and Katherine A. Fritts of Pawling, NY, and two nephews, Douglas and Robert Floyd, and a niece, Juliet Floyd.

A memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Church, 1864 Post Rd., Darien, CT on Sept. 27 at 11 a.m.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Camp Arcadia Scholarship Foundation, Friendship Fund, PO Box 158, Casco, ME 04015 or The Chapin School, 100 East End Ave., New York, NY 10028.

Editor's note: This obituary is from the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home website.