Inside King's-Edgehill School
Last night, Headmaster Joe Seagram hosted his annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the KES Boarding Community. This year, the Head Table boasted a special guest, Irene “Rene” Rigold.
Known for her selflessness and generosity, Rene has dedicated her life to helping others including countless KES Students who have attended our School thanks to her generous support of our student financial aid programme.
Rene’s early life circumstances were tragic (she was orphaned at the age of 8); however, fortunately, the generosity of unknown benefactors enabled her to attend Christ Hospital School in England where she learned the importance of thrift, economy, perseverance, and generosity. Upon Rene’s graduation, she was given a Bible and in it was inscribed:
“I charge you never to forget the great benefits you have received in this place, and, in time to come, according to your means, to do all you can to enable others to enjoy the same advantage; and remember that you carry with you, wherever you go, the good name of Christ’s Hospital. May God Almighty bless you in your ways and keep you in the knowledge of this love, now and forever.”
This charge inspired Irene to become a Nurse, committing her professional life to serving others. Upon immigrating to Canada, she spent 40 years Nursing in Montreal, Quebec. In 1996, Rene moved to Windsor and began sponsoring KES Students each year.
Rene was invited to our Thanksgiving Dinner for a very specific reason. We wanted to show Rene our gratitude for her support of our Students for the last 24 years. The Headmaster had the brilliant idea to name the KES infirmary recovery rooms “Rene’s Recovery Rooms” to honour Rene’s commitment to helping Students attend KES. Last night at the dinner, the plaque was unveiled. Rene was “over the moon” with the presentation of the plaque. She spoke to the assembled group about her life and the joy it has given her to help Students in the way that she once was helped. Rene stated that although she had no living family members, she believes that she has found her family her at King’s-Edgehill. Rene, we feel the same!
