In Memory of Rosemary (Bonnie) Thayer

United Needs & Abilities, Inc. would like to pay tribute to long-time board member, Rosemary (Bonnie) Thayer who passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020.


Although Bonnie had not been able to meet with us in person for quite some time, the contributions she made to United Needs & Abilities will continue to live on through the work she so loved: enriching the lives of individual with developmental disabilities.


Joining the Board of Directors for United Needs & Abilities, Inc. in 1996, Bonnie served in many capacities over her many years of services, including Board President in 2006 and then again in 2014.


Lending her expertise as a Master level educator from Johns Hopkins University, her work experience began as a classroom teacher with the Caroline County School System.


While in the public school system, she served not only as a teacher, but later as Vice-Principal and then as Principal, during which time her school in achieved Blue Ribbon Status; a great accomplishment that would later lead to her appointment as Supervisor of Special Education.


Bonnie was always up for a challenge when she felt she could have a greater impact on the community she adored.


Upon retirement, she served in a volunteer role as a member of our Board of Directors where she was instrumental in leading the panel in guiding our organization toward our greatest accomplishments. During her second tenure as Board President in 2014, Bonnie led the development of our Strategic Plan, still being carried out in our organization to this day.

 

We strive to remember and honor the time, talent, & expertise Bonnie brought to our organization. Her unlimited care and concern for others spoke of the kindness that she embodied every day in both her personal and professional life. She will be forever remembered for everything that she contributed to UNA, and to the lives of everyone who was lucky enough to know her.


On October 24th, 2020, United Needs & Abilities named a scholarship fund in honor of this exemplary woman.


If you would like to donate to the Rosemary Thayer Scholarship Fund by check, please send the donation to:

UNA Thayer Scholarship Fund

688 East Main Street
Salisbury, MD 21804

Rosemary (Bonnie) Thayer

  • Criteria For Award of Funds

    • The applicant must be a resident of the agency's service area, which encompasses the nine lower county region of Maryland's Eastern Shore.
    • The applicant must submit three letters of recommendation (one from a teacher).
    • The applicant must submit an application for the scholarship award and an essay. 
    • The essay should address the following: 
    1. How epilepsy has affected your life?
    2. Why you would be a deserving recipient?
    3. What you hope to gain from college?
    • The applicant must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 from his/her junior and senior years of high school or college career.
    • No pay back will be required, but a 2.5 GPA is necessary to retain the scholarship to graduation (4-year maximum.)
    • The recipient will submit a written request for continuation of the scholarship from one academic year to the next and must furnish transcripts.
    • The recipient will submit a final report of the degree received.
    • Each candidate will be interviewed before a scholarship is awarded.
    • Full and Part Time Students: In each semester, full time undergraduate students must carry at least 12 hours of academic work and part time students at least 6 hours of work.

Share by: