Beloved Oakville Elementary teacher had a secret: She had survived the Holocaust

“She was a very popular and beloved teacher at Oakville Elementary,” former student Paul Robnett told the Mehlville board June 12, 2014, asking them to honor the former teacher in some way. She was his teacher in the 1979-1980 school year.

Among her students at Oakville was former Board of Education member Rita Diekemper, who wrote on a memorial Facebook page, “Best teacher ever. Felt so fortunate to have her as a teacher. She taught so much about life!”

Robnett said he would like the district to honor Ban for her time in the Holocaust, because it wasn’t widely known at the time she served in the district.

“I will always remember her for helping a kid with ADHD before it was a thing,” wrote Mark Ocallaghan. “Thank you and rest in peace. (Class of 68-69).”