Leominster Trivia Night Raises $4,670 for Teacher's Legacy

When 150 people gathered at the Leominster Elks for a trivia night in late January, they weren't just testing their knowledge. They were keeping alive the memory of a teacher who touched countless lives.

Moody's Lucky Ducks Trivia Night raised $4,670 for the Lorna Moody Scholarship Fund, which supports Leominster High School seniors heading to college. The event honored Lorna Moody, a Fall Brook Elementary School PE teacher who passed away two years ago from ovarian cancer.

"It was a big success," said Sue Driscoll, Lorna's wife, who organized the fundraiser. The crowd wore purple, Lorna's favorite color, while competing in trivia teams and enjoying food donated by four local businesses.

The scholarship fund serves a dual purpose. While most money goes toward helping students afford college, a portion supports ovarian cancer research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, where Lorna was treated.

Driscoll says she continues fundraising to find a cure or vaccine for ovarian cancer and to bring awareness to the disease. It's also her way of honoring her wife's dedication to education.

The Ripple Effect

The community response shows how one teacher's impact extends far beyond the classroom. Local businesses GazBar Sports Grill, Paisanos Pizza & Spirits, Simply Sweet by Christine, and Zoppo's Catering all donated food for the event.

"Erica Grinkis and Sam Ortiz were extremely helpful in putting this event together," Driscoll said, praising the GazBar owner and general manager who volunteered their time. Many of Lorna's former colleagues from Fall Brook Elementary attended, celebrating the woman who spent decades teaching their students.

The trivia night marks just one part of ongoing efforts to support both causes. The third annual Moody's Lucky Ducks Golf Tournament is scheduled for September 27 at Monoosnock Country Club in Leominster. Even non-golfers are welcome to join for the buffet dinner and auction.

For Driscoll, these fundraisers serve a purpose beyond the money raised: keeping her wife's memory alive while helping students pursue their dreams and supporting research that could save future lives.