Kendall creates memorial scholarship for beloved school nurse

Photo: Kendall Central School – Libby Jurs was a popular school nurse at Kendall Central School.

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent

KENDALL – Members of the Kendall School Board of Education agreed to create a memorial scholarship in honor of Elizabeth “Libby” Jurs, a former Junior/Senior High School nurse.

She died Dec. 12 after a long battle with ovarian cancer and, more recently, leukemia.

The scholarship will be awarded to a student who has overcome adversity and has strived to make a positive impact on society. Students planning to enter the fields of farming, education, industrial arts or nursing will be given priority. The amount awarded will be based on the balance of the account not to exceed $100 in any given year. A scholarship committee will pick the recipient.

Jurs served as a school nurse for more than 24 years, retiring just this past October. At the time of her retirement, Principal Carol D’Agostino called Jurs, “the heart and soul of the high school.”

D’Agostino remembered Jurs bringing food and clean clothes to students in need as well as buying presents for students during the holidays and for birthdays.

“She loved her kids and they loved her,” D’Agostino said.

This past September, Kendall faculty and staff rallied behind Jurs through the creation of Team Libby, wearing teal “Team Libby” T-shirts and participating in the Ovarian & Gynecological Cancers 5K Run/Walk at Monroe Community College. Additionally, sales of “Team Libby” T-shirts have raised $350 for donation to finding a cure for ovarian and gynecological cancers.

Donations to the Elizabeth Jurs Memorial Scholarship Fund may be made c/o Kendall Central School, Kendall, NY, 14476.