Doris Schoonmaker Named

CWU Valiant Woman

During its World Community Day Celebration last month, Church Women United/Newtown-Bethel paused to honor one of its own. Sandy Hook resident Doris Schoonmaker was presented with a Valiant Woman Award, which recognizes special contributions of a woman to Church Women United (CWU) and her community.

Jeane Roberts, a co-president of the Newtown-Bethel unit, presented Mrs Schoonmaker with her certificate and a Valiant Woman pin from the national office of CWU. In presenting the honor, Mrs Roberts called on Proverbs 31:30–31 to introduced Mrs Schoonmaker:

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned

And let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The Valiant Woman Award derives its name from the passage in the Old Testament Book of Proverbs that observes, “Who can find a valiant woman, for her price is far above rubies.” Women are honored for strong, committed service to church, Church Women United, and their community.

Mrs Schoonmaker has been a member of Church Women United/Newtown-Bethel since the late 1980s. She and her late husband Walter moved from New York City into Sandy Hook in 1947, and the couple began building and expanding their home along with their family. The Schoonmakers raised six children — sons Richard, David, and Paul, and daughters Judith, Susan, and Kim.

The Schoonmakers also cultivated a business together: the couple developed and ran a nursery business from their property for 16 years.

“St John’s Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook has been sustained and maintained through the faithful stewardship of this Valiant Woman,” continued Mrs Roberts. “Her steady, melodic voice has brought a special dimension to many CWU celebrations.

“At Church Woman United board meetings, her calm approach, common sense, devout spirit, and sense of humor have won the admiration of all on board,” said Mrs Roberts, who also praised Mrs Schoonmaker for her “steady, quiet leadership.”

CWU/Newtown-Bethel were the co-presenters of 2006 World Community Day in Danbury. The event was hosted by the Danbury CWU chapter and held at Danbury Public Library.