Milestones

Photo by Father Iain Maclellan, O.S.B. ’78

Alva de Mars Megan

Alva de Mars Megan passed away on September 22, 2020, at the age of 93. Megan’s legacy is encapsulated in the Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center at Saint Anselm College that shares her namesake.

Born in East Boston, Mass., Megan grew up in Belmont, Mass., before becoming a longtime resident of Exeter, N.H. She earned a degree in fine arts from Dunbarton College in Washington, D.C. In 1951, she married Francis (Frank) J. Megan, Jr. ’51; the couple had 10 children and 15 grandchildren.

An accomplished painter, Megan loved animals and the outdoors, especially the White Mountains. She also enjoyed spending her summers at Canobie Lake, walking Rye Beach as well as sailing. She dedicated herself to faith as an active member of St. Michael’s Church in Exeter.

Since Saint Anselm College’s Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center was founded in 1967, the gallery has housed a permanent collection of artworks as well as provided a gracious setting for special exhibitions.

The gallery was dedicated to Megan in the early 2000s by her husband, a Saint Anselm College alumnus. Mr. Megan had been a major benefactor of the college for many years. For his continued generosity, the college gave him the privilege of naming the Chapel Art center in his wife’s honor.

Director of the Chapel Arts Center, Father Iain Maclellan, O.S.B. ’78, had met Alva on several occasions throughout the years. “I found her [Alva] to be remarkably strong and peaceful—a very warm and loving woman. I had also known her son Jay very well,” he says.

He also mentioned Megan’s adoration of the gallery’s vaulted ceiling murals painted by Father Raphael Pfisterer, O.S.B.

“I recall at the luncheon in honor of the naming of Alva de Mars Megan Chapel Art Center, Alva called the ceiling murals Saint Anselm’s Sistine Chapel,” he says.

Senior Vice President of College Advancement, Jim Flanagan shared some thoughts on Alva’s passing.

“The entire college community’s thoughts and prayers go out to Alva and the entire Megan family,” he says. “We will be forever grateful for her support and love for the arts at Saint Anselm College.”

Lucille Lavoie ’57

Lucille “Lu” Lavoie ’57 passed away August 9, 2020 at the age of 96 after a period of declining health.

Born January 26, 1924 in Epping, N.H., Lavoie graduated valedictorian from Epping High School and graduated summa cum laude from Saint Anselm College in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She was recognized in the 1956-57 edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Additional nursing education included a master’s degree in nursing education from Boston College in 1961 and a master’s degree in religious education from Emmanuel College in Boston in 1971. During a year’s sabbatical, with a fellowship received from the National Cancer Institute, she earned a Certificate in Oncology Nursing Education in 1981 from San Jose State University in California.

Lavoie returned to Saint Anselm College in 1959 to teach in the Department of Nursing retiring in 1989 as associate professor. In 1990 she was awarded the title of professor emeritus. She served on many department and college committees and organizations including the College Accreditation Evaluation Committee, College Centennial Committee, Faculty Senate and the Saint Anselm College Alumni Council. In 2004 she received the Walter J. Gallo ’58 Award for dedicated service to both the Alumni Association and the college.

Throughout the community Lavoie volunteered for many organizations including the N.H. Symphony Orchestra Guild, the Manchester Public Library Pro-Literacy Program, Visiting Nurse Association of Manchester Hospice Program. She served as a eucharistic minister, lector, member on the parish council, religious education program and the parish outreach program at St. Catherine of Siena Parish where she was a communicant.

A Christian burial service was held at St. Joseph Cemetery in Epping, N.H. on August 13, 2020.

Mary Margaret Mongan, H.D. ’86

Mary Margaret Mongan, H.D. ’86 passed away peacefully on May 27, 2020 at the age of 94. Born in Manchester on May 14, 1926, she attended Manchester schools. During WWII she enlisted in the U.S. Navy Cadet Corps and became a registered nurse after training at Saint Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Nashua, N.H. While her children were in college she attended the University of Michigan to study gerontology and became well known for her advocacy for the elderly. She was a tireless champion for New Hampshire’s vulnerable and underserved helping to procure federal grants and healthcare dollars for multiple initiations. She served on numerous boards throughout the city and state and received many awards and honors in recognition of her service. She also served on the Saint Anselm College Board of Trustees from 1983 to 1998 and received an honorary degree in 1986. Mongan is predeceased by her husband, John, who she married in 1947.

Thomas Prendergast ’72

Thomas Prendergast ’72 of Boston, Mass., passed away on May 26, 2020. Born in Newark, N.J., he was educated in the Benedictine tradition, first at St. Benedict’s preparatory School and then at Saint Anselm College. He was CEO and president of Heritage Property Investment Trust, Inc., a manager of commercial real estate throughout the country. As an executive with Heritage, he adopted a summer camp for underprivileged youth and encouraged employees to become involved in community service. As a loyal alumnus, he participated in the Boston Business Roundtable, lectures in Professor Emeritus Romps’ investments course, served on college advancement committees, and was a member of the Corporate Partners Program. He served on the Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2009 and again from 2012 to 2013. Tom will be remembered for his philosophy of balancing hard work with hard play, rigorous thought with boundless creativity, and a desire to learn with a willingness to serve. He is survived by his wife Anne (McCarthy) ’73.

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IN MEMORIAM

Raymond O. Bissonnette ’50, Nashua, N.H., July 2, 2020. James F. Byrne ’50, Naples, Fla., July 18, 2020.

Edward H. Hogan ’50, West Melbourne, Fla., May 25, 2018. Arthur J. Bosa, D.P.M. ’51, Keene, N.H., April 27, 2018. Joseph F. Caponio, Ph.D. ’51, Arlington, Virginia, May 26, 2018. Gerald W. Giles ’51, Hollywood, Fla., July 17, 2018. Robert F. Hamel ’51, Manchester, N.H., June 27, 2020. Charles P. Gleason ’52, Northampton, Mass., December 21, 2018. Ralph J. Lambert ’52, Shirley Mass., December 19, 2019. Bernard F. Ott ’52, Feeding Hills, Mass., December 10, 2018. Jerome P. Shea ’53, Holyoke, Mass., September 7, 2020. Lolita J. Ball ’54, South Portland, Maine, June 3, 2020. Constance M. (Hebert) Hamel ’55, Chester, N.H., May 13, 2020. Josephine (Kelly) Moriarty ’55 (Mount Saint Mary), East Atlantic Beach, N.Y., June 4, 2020. Anne Vaccarest ’55 (Mount Saint Mary), Windham, N.H., April 20, 2020. Patricia (Murray) Lewis ’57, Winlock, Wash., December 4, 2019. Paul George Normandin ’57, Lowell, Mass., Jul 25, 2020. John “Jack” E. O’Connor ’57, Hampstead, N.H., May 9, 2020. Eugene D. Spratt ’57, Coatesville, Pa., July 21, 2018. Richard T. Bergeron ’58, Sanford, Maine, May 20, 2018. Peter Steckowych ’58, Goffstown, N.H., September 2, 2020.

Raymond H. Taber ’58, Goffstown, N.H., July 7, 2018. Nicholas S. Zagorianakos ’58, Lincoln, Maine, May 31, 2018. John P. Bolton, Jr. ’59, Tuftonboro, N.H. April 26, 2020. Richard A. Gagne ’59, Sarasota, Fla., January 31, 2018. Paul R. Kenney ’60, Auburn, N.H., August 27, 2020. Edward J. Craig ’61, Kirbyville, Texas, July 23, 2018. John M. Fleming ’61, Manchester, N.H., August 24, 2020. John Joseph (Jack) Healy, Jr. ’61, Goffstown, N.H., August 15, 2020. Edward J. Ryan, Jr. Esq. ’61, South Hadley, Mass., July 29, 2018. Evelyn (Lord) Gaudrault ’62, Topsfield, Mass., May 7, 2020. Rev. Leo Hoar, Ed.D. ’62, Cape Cod, Mass., April 28, 2019. Charles B. Perini ’62, Harvard, Mass., North Falmouth, Mass., and Rangeley, Maine, July 16, 2020. Hon. Norman E. Champagne ’63, Manchester, N.H., July 27, 2020. Michael W. Kozzi ’63, Sarasota, Fla., March 16, 2020. Sheila (McCarthy) Moesch ’63 (Mount Saint Mary), Williamsville, N.Y., February 17, 2018.

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Stanley A. Wojtowicz, Jr. ’63, Naples, Fla., April 26, 2020. William S. Bobka ’64, Sterling/Clinton, Mass., July 13, 2020. Rev. Dennis P. Bombardier ’64, Greenfield, Mass., April 22, 2018. James J. Coman, Esq. ’64, Raleigh, N.C., August 30, 2018. John B. Fahey, Jr. ’64, Litchfield, Conn., August 4, 2020. Richard A. “Dick” Grasso ’64, Franklin, Mass., April 28, 2020. Martha (Watson) Connell ’65 (Mount Saint Mary), Ferrandina Beach, Fla., July 4, 2018. Rev. Joseph Dietz ’65, Sleepy Hollow/ Riverdale, N.Y., September 17, 2020. James E. Dowling, Jr. ’65, Mashpee, Mass., July 21, 2020. Richard Hennessey ’65, Kennebunk, Maine, September 25, 2020. George A. Provost ’65, Litchfield, N.H., June 30, 2020. John Toscano ’65, South Amboy, N.J., July 10, 2020. Sophia Antoniou ’66, Bedford, N.H., May 30, 2020. Carmen Massimiano ’66, Pittsfield, Mass. June 25, 2020. James J. McGinness, Jr. ’66, New York, N.Y., April 28, 2020. Peter B. Siefken ’66, Charleston, S.C., August 31, 2020. Gerald P. LeSage ’67, Littleton, N.H., March 7, 2020. Deacon Alfred O. Balestracci ’68, North Reading, Mass., July 29, 2020. Michael T. Walsh ’68, Manchester, N.H., July 4, 2020. David C. Messier ’69, Bedford, N.H., August 15, 2018. Robert Silva ’69, Nahant, Mass., October 12, 2020. Dennis W. Sullivan ’70, Lake Mary, Fla., January 8, 2018. Richard Tuohy ’70, Summerfield, Fla., and Cape Cod, October 11, 2020. David B. Kennedy ’71, Bloomfield, Conn., April 10, 2020. Doris E. Beck ’72, Winter Haven, Fl., September 13, 2020. Robert C. McDonald ’72, Lowell, Mass., July 15, 2020. Matthew J. Brennan, III ’73, Marlborough, Mass., July 25, 2020. Leonard R. Barone ’75, Haverhill, Mass., October 17, 2020. Mary K. Dillon-Sikoski ’76, Turners Falls, Mass., July 18, 2020. William D. Robinson ’76, Derry, N.H., July 9, 2020. Paul E. Dionne ’77, Nashua, N.H., August 3, 2018. Michael R. Beadle ’79, Holderness, N.H. May 8, 2020. James P. Cerami ’79, Sebring, Fla., February 4, 2018. Linwood A. Daggett ’79, Kittery, Maine, July 24, 2018. Sheila (McMahon) Verre ’80, Wethersfield, Conn., May 31, 2020. Diane (Duquette) DiVasto ’81, Middletown, Conn., May 4, 2020. David C. Toracinta ’82, Little Compton, R.I., October 7, 2020. Therese (Dubreuil) Clarkson ’84, Manchester, N.H., August 29, 2020. Robert M. Nee, M.D. ’84, Glenmoore, Pa., May 28, 2018. Daniel R. Duhamel ’90, Manchester, N.H., July 5, 2020. Allison (Fennell) Grossman ’91, Newburyport, Mass., August 4, 2018. Daniel H. Heffernan ’93, Oakhurst, N.J., August 9, 2018. Martha Joan Barrett, Esq. ’99, Lowell, Mass., October 7, 2020. Emily (Rowden) Fournier ’11, Fairfield, Maine, July 11, 2020.

FRIENDS

Patricia Fay, former faculty, October 11, 2020. Sister Amy Hoey, former faculty, August 14, 2020. Robert McCullough, Jr., former employee, June 9, 2020. Stanley C. Olsen, H.D. ’78, September 30, 2020.

MARRIAGES

Jill Esernia ’06 and Daniel Feltus, June 22, 2019, Mystic, Conn. Barbara Joslin ’06 and David Galatis, July 27, 2019, Somerville, Mass. Daniel (Scholfield) Belfield ’09 and Beata Lobel, June 21, 2020, Hartford, Conn.

Christie Usher ’09 and Colby Dame, September 5, 2020, Brookfield, N.H. Kerri Fleming ’10 and Joseph Donnelly, July 18, 2020, Pembroke, Mass. Maria Tallo ’10 and Mitchell Jarzabek, July 18, 2020, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Jacqueline Cooney ’11 and Mark

Lane ’11, October 3, 2020, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Kathryn Swider ’12 and Colin Mansfield, September 5, 2020, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Meghan Reilly ’13 and William Tallarita ’13, Newton, Mass., September 5, 2020. Rachel Dushkewich ’14 and Edward Amador, September 25, 2020, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Lyndsay Davis ’15 and Liam Gilliland ’15, August 8, 2020, Saint Anselm Abbey Church.

Coraima Perez ’15 and Travis Kulak, September 26, 2020, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Jacob Boesch ’18 and Marianne Collard, May 2, 2020, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Marcus Pratt ’08, a son, Sawyer Annibale, May 18, 2020.

Ashley Robichaud ’19 and

Greg Williams ’18, June 20, 2020, Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Anne Sears ’14 and Mark Kotsopoulos ’14, September 19, 2020, Edgartown, Mass. Gina Fuccillo ’15 and Marcello Cugno ’15, September 19, 2020, Reading, Mass.

FUTURE ANSELMIANS

Kelly (Cunningham) Levis ’02 and Timothy, a daughter, Cecilia Gray, June 21, 2019. Alison (Lane) Daley ’04 and Keith, a daughter, Everleigh Reegan, May 26, 2019. Cameron Ross ’11 and Samantha, a son,

Casey (Gavin) McDonagh ’04 and John, a daughter, Shannon Linda, Shane Smith ’13, a daughter, Shannon

May 20, 2019. Erin (Siderko) Treseder ’05 and Paul, a daughter, Ava Kathryn, September 22, Peter Zamachaj ’11, a son, Andrew,

2018. Sean Sullivan ’06 and Kathleen, a son, Conor Francis, January 22, 2020. Melanie (Powell) Hudon ’15 and Dylan,

Allison (Salinder) Anastasoff ’07

July 15, 2019. Cassandra (Loftus) McCue ’08 and Jonathan, a son, Theodore Richardson, September 1, 2019. Nicole (Love) Crandall ’09 and Seath Crandall ’11, a son, Riley James, October 2, 2020. Kristen (Copithorne) Pratt ’09 and

Heather (Sherlock) Balduino ’10

and Christopher, a daughter, Brooke Sherlock, May 12, 2020. Leanne (Cirigliano) Briand ’10 and Ken, a daughter, Ava Rose, July 2, 2019. Bridget (Martin) Lazzara ’11 and Jacob, a daughter, Lucille Cartwright, June 28, 2020. Declan Stratton, August 15, 2019. Katie (Meinertz) Smith ’14 and Kathleen, July 7, 2020. Kelly (Dunn) Zamachaj ’14 and September 26, 2020. and Adam, a daughter, Layla Mae,

a son, Callum Finn, February 18, 2020. Olive (Capone) Douglass ’18 and Luke Douglass ’18, a daughter, Rachel Soucy, June 16, 2020.

Saint Anselm College ALUMNI COUNCIL Stay in Touch with the Alumni Council

The Alumni Council’s role is to be ambassadors of the college, acting as the voice of the alumni and developing an environment of involved, active alumni across the country. The Council welcomes you to reach out with ideas or concerns that may be important to fellow alumni.

Kathleen Mahan ’02, President k.mahan@clrm.com Karen Clark ’10, Vice President karen.clark724@gmail.com