NEW ORLEANS —

New Orleans is mourning the loss of a beloved choir director.

Veronica Downs Dorsey, a longtime McDonogh 35 choir director and staple with the St. Peter Claver Choir, died this week. Advertisement

According to a statement by St. Peter Claver, Downs dedicated her life to music and her faith.

She taught music at McDonogh 35 for 30 years before her retirement in 2021, inspiring thousands of students.

She was serving as the director of music at St. Peter Claver before her passing.

St. Peter Clever issued the following statement regarding her passing:

"'The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?' — Psalm 27:1. It is with deep sorrow and profound faith in the Resurrection that the St. Peter Clave

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