SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Libraries have an air of quiet relaxation, with hours spent leisurely ambling the aisles and whiling away the hours lost in a book, which is ironically a quality not reflected by the Weledeh Catholic School Library's new namesake, Dr. Loretta Foley.

Dr. Loretta Foley was recognized for her contribution to education by having the Weledeh Catholic School library named after her, with a plaque in her honour. - Charlotte Hilling/NNSL photo

"Working with Loretta is a bit of a misnomer. Running flat out trying to keep up with her is a lot more accurate," said former Mayor Dave Lovell.

Ten years after her reign as Yellowknife Catholic Schools (YCS) superintendent ended, Foley became the official namesake of the Weledeh Catholic School Library at a celebration on Oct. 27.

"It's difficult for me to believe that I deserve this honour, but with great humility and appreciation, I accept it," said Foley.

Foley, who is now retired and lives in Victoria, BC., has been travelling around Canada and the United States and made a detour to Yellowknife to be present for the renaming on the request of YCS Chair, Mary Vane.

Vane explained that it had been decided some time ago that the library should be named after Foley but it has taken until now to execute the ambition, saying Foley's impact of YCS education is unparallelled.

"Loretta literally changed the face of YCS, in that she was really responsible for building two state of the art schools in Yellowknife," she said.

Foley was YCS superintendent from June 1991 to the end of 1999. While she has not been in the role for 10 years she continues to have an impact in Yellowknife.

"She's been gone for 10 years, and she still hasn't left us," said Larry Purcka, former board member.

Foley's ability to create solid and profitable partnerships to the benefit of students was a reoccurring theme of the night.

"I don't know of anyone who was and still is the best at networking and interacting with the community for the purpose of achieving the best possible results for education," said former board member Noel O'Sullivan.

However her contribution in championing the building of St Patrick's High School, Weledeh Catholic School and their combined gym was also acknowledged.

"For those of us who remember pre-1991 YCS facilities, on this side of the district, will surely recognize the great changes made," said O'Sullivan.

"These facilities are here to day because of Dr. Foley's vision."

Another former board member, Jane Haley, reminisced about Foley's hands on approach, with her weekly or even daily visits to the schools being somewhat unsettling for staff and administration.

"The children on the other hand, they loved it, and they thrived as she quickly learnt all their names and intently listened to their interests."

Foley was born in Nova Scotia and had her first teaching assignment in Brooklyn, New York as a nun in 1957.

She has worked in places such as Halifax, Vancouver and Edmonton, to name a few, before coming to Yellowknife for 10 years.

"All the YCS schools are important to me ... But I have to say that the Dr. Loretta Foley Library in Weledeh Catholic School shall always have a special place in my heart."