![Denise DeVault Trevenen]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1620424900/gunneryorg/a3w6wnxylj4rx8rzumoi/DeniseTrevenen_2018FriendoftheGreenAward.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1620424900/gunneryorg/a3w6wnxylj4rx8rzumoi/DeniseTrevenen_2018FriendoftheGreenAward.jpg","width":484}])
The Frederick Gunn School community is saddened by the loss of an active citizen of Washington and friend of the school, Denise DeVault Trevenen, who passed away on May 3. Trevenen was remembered this week as a remarkable person, a beloved community member and friend, a wonderful mother and respected attorney who made many contributions to the town and enriched the lives of all who knew her.
The Frederick Gunn School community had the opportunity to celebrate Trevenen by presenting her with the Friend of the Green Award in November 2018. The award is presented annually to honor an individual or group that has contributed to the well-being of the town of Washington through their volunteer efforts.
Head of School Peter Becker, who served with Trevenen on the board of Washington Montessori School, said at the time that she dedicated her time and expertise to helping many local organizations and individuals in need. “But the way in which she helped you was never looking for recognition. She did it quietly and professionally and with love.”
A longtime Washington resident and principal at Trevenen & Coploff in Washington Depot, Trevenen served as Chairman of the board of Washington Montessori School and was President Emeritus of The Washington Park Foundation, which paid tribute to her this week for her “vision, dedication, leadership and indomitable spirit.”
Trevenen was Counsel to the Warren Land Trust and had served on the board of Steep Rock Association since 2014. She also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Gunn Memorial Library & Museum from 2001 to 2007, and was a board member of the New Milford Hospital Community Foundation and the Washington Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation (now the Washington Scholarship Fund).
“Her work in our community runs deep, and cuts across many areas, from her successful law practice to serving on the boards of organizations like Steep Rock, Gunn Memorial Library, The Washington Scholarship Fund and the beautiful Judy Black Memorial Park. In fact, there probably aren’t many accomplishments or events in this town she hasn’t been a part of in some way,” Pat Werner P’86 ’87 GP’16, the longtime Head of Washington Montessori School, said when Trevenen was honored in 2018. Werner said the role Trevenen was probably most proud of was being the mother of two remarkable children, Andrew and Sydney, and noted that she served on the WMS board long after they had graduated from the school.
“For each of us there are undoubtedly certain attributes which come to mind when we think about Denise and the really significant role she plays in our community and in our lives. For me, it is her deep emotional intelligence, her exceptional common sense, and her quite obvious commitment to caring for others that shine most brightly,” Werner said.