Carolyn Wilder Dougherty taught Home Economics at Silver Creek from 1963 to 1979.

SILVER CREEK — After Carolyn Wilder Dougherty passed away four years ago at the age of 99, her family wanted to find a way to preserve her legacy. Recent collaboration between the Wilder family and Silver Creek Central Schools found a way to do just that at her former school.

At a recent Board of Education meeting, the district accepted a substantial donation from the Wilder family in memory of Carolyn Wilder Dougherty, who taught Home Economics at Silver Creek from 1963 to 1979.

The Wilder family donated sewing machines, pasta rollers and spaghetti cutters, electric skillets, blenders, commercial microwaves, an electric stove and a dishwasher. The items will benefit the Silver Creek Family and Consumer Science class, taught by Jessica Huff. A plaque and photo of Wilder will be displayed in the classroom.

Wilder graduated from Silver Creek High School in 1941 before pursuing higher education at Buffalo State Teachers’ College, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Education. She taught at Clymer and Forestville before settling at her alma mater. She was a lifelong resident of Silver Creek and a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. One of Wilder’s sons attended the recent meeting to share his mother’s story and express gratitude to the school for working with his family to honor his mother.

The district also accepted two other donations, from The Teacher’s Desk, each estimated at roughly $12,000. Silver Creek Middle School received supplies including pens, pencils, binders, books, socks, art supplies, hygiene products, cleaning products, hats, and shoes. Silver Creek Elementary School also received supplies, including books, arts and crafts supplies, paint, crayons, pencil pouches, paper, pencils, erasers, highlighters, pens, folders, binders, notebooks, toilet paper, garbage bags, hand soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes.