The Administration Building of the Sisters of Charity at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown. Star-Ledger file photo
FLORHAM PARK — The College of Saint Elizabeth recently received a $5 million bequest from the estate of an alumna who died in early December.
Before her death on Dec. 2, Antoinette M. Anastasia, of Elizabeth, was a longtime benefactor of the college, having anonymously donated “the largest outright gift in the college’s history” in 2012 to renovate its biology labs in Henderson Hall, the school said in a news release.
The biology wing has since been renamed in her honor.
“Dr. Anne was a wonderful friend to the College,” said President Helen J. Streubert. “Early in my tenure she worked closely with me to envision what could be the future for the College, specifically in the sciences. Anne was always generous in spirit. Her gift is transformational at this time in the College’s history as we continue to serve those who have not traditionally had access to higher education.”
Anastasia, who was well-known among her classmates as “Flower,” graduated from the college in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and went on to earn her Masters and Ed.D. from Columbia University, according to her obituary.
In 1953, Anastasia began teaching at Fairleigh Dickinson University, a career that would span more than 60 years.
In 2015, the College of Saint Elizabeth awarded her the Mother Xavier Award, “the highest honor bestowed upon an alumna of the school each year on Founders Day for recalling the vision, courage and faith of the founder of the College of Saint Elizabeth, Mother Mary Xavier Mehegan,” according to the school.
Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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