CATHEDRAL Connection THE
C AT H E D R A L H I G H S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS
FEATURE STORY
EDUCATOR PROFILES
ALUMNAE PROFILES
ALSO INSIDE
Legacy Society Alumnae Profiles Class Notes In Memoriam
THE CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018
INS ID E T H I S I S S U E
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Letter From Our Principal . . . . . . . . . 2 Feature Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Educator Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Alumnae Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Contributors Regina Cialone Randi Gutbrod Jana Pantaleev Willona Sloan Cathedral High School Administration Ms. Maria Spagnuolo Principal Ms. Rosemary Eivers Assistant Principal for Academics Mrs. Elizabeth Lawlor Assistant Principal for Student Life Cathedral High School Board of Trustees Elinor Sutton, Esq., Chair Stephen M. Schiller, Vice Chair Sr. Margaret Egan ‘56,SC, Ed.D. The Honorable Sue Ann Hoahng '74 James P. Jalil, Esq. Yasmine Legendre Julie McGee Dr. Joseph Muscente Ashlyn Primm Suzanne Schechter Bishop Gerald Walsh Philip Jay Wilker, Esq. ©2018 Cathedral High School
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L ETTER FROM OUR PRI N CI PAL
Dear Cathedral Family,
As
you look through this latest edition of The Cathedral Connection, I hope you share my pride in all that we have accomplished. This spring, we welcomed nearly 200 alumnae back to CHS for our Annual Reunion. Alumnae spanning the decades shared a day of laughter and memories with friends old and new. The class of 1968 is especially thanked for their participation and generous class gift in honor of their 50-Year Reunion. We also hosted our first Legacy Society Lunch & Learn, as well as our second 30 Under 30 Celebration. Over 150 alumnae, friends, and donors came together in recognition of our honorees: 30 remarkable young graduates who embody the mission of CHS in their professional pursuits and as leaders in their communities. As we enter the next school year, I hope you stay connected! Participate in one of our Career Days, become a Student Mentor, or guest lecture in one of our classes. Host a regional reception in your state, volunteer as Class Rep, or help lead an alumnae affinity group. Again, we thank those of you who have made gifts to Cathedral, and I ask you to please continue to support this school we love so much. It’s participation, not the dollar amount that makes a difference. Please enjoy this issue of The Cathedral Connection and have a wonderful summer! Sincerely,
Maria Spagnuolo Principal
THE CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018
FEATURE STORY
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Cathedral Celebrates Second 30 Under 30
athedral High School hosted its second 30 Under 30 Celebration event at the Mutual of America building in NYC on April 24th, 2018. Over one hundred and fifty guests joined us to honor a wonderful group of young alumnae for their outstanding academic and professional achievements.
The program began with opening remarks from student Kayla Valentin ’19, who formally welcomed guests, told her own personal story on why she chose to attend Cathedral, and spoke about her experience with pursuing a STEM-based curriculum. Kayla shared, “My guidance counselors and teachers at Cathedral have helped and encouraged me to apply to all of the programs I am currently a part of CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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FEATURE STORY
30 UNDER 30 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
and have participated in. I am only a junior and I have been exposed to things other high school students have not been, like coding and working in a professional office environment. I haven’t decided which college I’d like to attend yet, but I do know I plan to major in Software Engineering or Computer Science.
a few of the same interests such as traveling and engineering. I would also like to acknowledge one of the other honorees, Siara Maldonado, who not so long ago I had the pleasure of walking the hallways with and being on the volleyball team with... When I see my own peers being honored here, it inspires me and I hope in a few years I will also be honored here alongside other alumnae.”
“I had the chance to meet a few of the honorees, including Sarita Ram. She is such an inspirational and hardworking person. I was honored to speak to her and learn that we had
Afterwards, guests were shown a video presentation highlighting many of our honorees. Principal Maria Spagnuolo thanked our generous sponsors Mutual of America, Jay Wilker, Julie McGee,
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Thompson Hine LLP, Ashlyn and Aaron Primm, and Steve Schiller and Elizabeth O’Brien. CHS student Ambar Rosario ’19 stood next to Principal Spagnuolo and signed her remarks in ASL (American Sign Language). After reflecting on Cathedral’s history, Principal Spagnuolo announced the evening’s honorees as Randi Gutbrod, Alumnae Relations Coordinator, presented them with their awards. “Tonight we applaud these 30 young women in their range of pursuits. We are proud to honor these examples of smart, successful women who embody CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
THE CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018
FEATURE STORY
FOR MORE, VISIT
chsgala.org WATCH video of the short film BROWSE photos from the Gala READ about the honorees DONATE to support quality education 30 UNDER 30 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
• Pamela Howell ‘07
• Yolanda Rondon ‘06
the mission of Cathedral and its values of service, leadership, and academic excellence. It is my great privilege to now present our honorees with their awards:
• Fabine Leroy ‘08
• Alia Soundiata ‘08
• Stephanie Barimah ‘07 • Margarita Cardozo ‘15 • Linda Chan ‘17
• Wendy Lin ‘15 • Rondail Lomax ‘06 • Siara Maldonado ‘17
• Berndadette Sylla ‘10 • Rhayvan Terrell ‘09
• Bianca Medina ‘08
• Genesis Torres ‘16
• Genesis Miranda ‘06
• Gretchen Ty ‘07
• Stephanie Morocho ‘11
• Brittani Williams-Fell ‘13
• Lorraine Njoki ‘10
• Mary Zhuo Ke ‘15”
• Mariel Charles ‘11
• Patricia Ong ‘15
• Tiffany Dyer ‘07
• Alexi Palmer ‘11
The evening continued with music
• Miesha Etheridge ‘06
• Samantha Peneyra ‘07
from LMS Entertainment, and both
• Stephanie Goorahoo ‘14
• Sarita Ram ‘08
honorees and students enjoyed a night
• Bianca Hormaza ‘08
• Casiel Rodriguez ‘09
of dancing with family and friends.
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THE CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018
FEATURE SCHOOL N STORY EWS
Akaysha Palmer ’17: Aiding Those New Yorkers Who Need It The Most on the train in Manhattan,” her mother confirms.
We are thrilled to announce that current senior Akaysha Palmer was featured in a cover story by ‘am New York’ in their February 27th, 2018 issue highlighting Black History Month. The editorial featured four young New Yorkers named “The New Faces of Leadership.” Here is a reprint of her feature in the original article.
Once she got to Cathedral High School in Manhattan, Akaysha started joining extracurricular activities – cheerleading as a freshman, basketball as a sophomore – but to the amazement of those around her, she somehow always carved out time for community outreach.
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hen still learning her multiplication tables, Bronx native Akaysha Palmer was already focused on how she could help others. “When the church would announce they were going to feed shut-ins, she would volunteer to go. She was only eight years old,” says Antoinette Palmer, 57, her mother. “She was always a motivated person, a leader type of person.”
Akaysha says she’s always had a “soft spot” for those in need and often gives whatever food she has to anyone who asks. “She would have her last two dollars and give them to somebody, probably
As a junior, the Wakefield resident joined the Fresh Empire campaign, which proves “you can still have fun through hip-hop without smoking,” Akaysha says. She also became heavily involved in a program called Teen Career Connection, where she was placed at a 2017 summer internship at New York CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Walk-Out Against Gun Violence At
10AM on March 14th, students at Cathedral High School voluntarily participated with those across the nation in National Walk Out Day, including a 17 minute silent walk and prayer service in memory of each of the 17 lives lost in the Parkland school shooting that occurred in February. Students prepared for the walk-out by making posters expressing their concern on school safety and in remembrance of all victims of school shootings. The event was coordinated to be timed with the thousands of other students who participated nationwide.
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THE CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018
FEATURE SCHOOL N STORY EWS
Maria Theresa Fernandez Named Student of Distinction We are very proud of current senior Maria Theresa Fernandez who has been named Student of Distinction by the Times Ledger. Here is a reprint of the original article, featured in the February 2018 issue.
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ur February Student of Distinction Maria Theresa Fernandez is a paragon of dedication, drive and professionalism. Recognition for her academic accomplishments include induction into the National Honor Society, Cathedral Scholars, and the Principal’s Honor Role. For inclusion in the latter, one must maintain a 95 average. Exhibiting an expertise in the sciences, Maria earned a 99 in Honors Chemistry and 97 in Physics and is among the top scholars in her class. Among advance placement courses she has completed in the past few years are AP World History, AP US History, AP Biology, AP Statistics, and AP United States and Government. Since 2015, she has been a member of the school’s Medical Gateways Program, for which participants have a rigorous schedule comprising additional health classes and volunteer work. Through the Medical Gateways she volunteered at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and New York Presbyterian’s Weill Cornell Medical Center. At Weill Cornell, Maria was active in three programs: the Youth Scholars Program, where students attend anatomy and physiology-based lectures, presentations, and participate in medical case-study discussions; Young Women of Medicine, a mentorship program for high school girls with acuity and interest in medicine and biology; and Health Profession Recruitment/ Exposure Program (HPREP). HPREP is a highly selective program, for which Maria wrote research papers about nosocomial infections in the emergency room; learned gross pathology of organs and also how to take blood pressure. The program educates students about the challenges involved in providing health care to underserved communities and to address the issue of declining enrollment rates of medicine populations who are unrepresented. HPREP 2017 Coordinator Jonathon Galati gladly attests, “Ms. Fernandez was a dedicated and valued participant of HPREP – she was always well prepared, motivated and attentive. Her creativity and extensive work ethic were demonstrated in her fantastic research paper completed by the end of the program.” She also participated as a volunteer at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, which included assisting medical staff,
interacting with patients at their bedsides, maintaining medical equipment and monitoring calls, bells and phones. Her 130 service hours at Weill Cornell Medical Center’s Cardiothoracic Step-Down Unit encompassed assisting nursing staff as well as performing administrative duties. “Maria helped the 6 South Nursing Team tremendously,” enthused Cecilia Tolentino, Registered Nurse with Wyckoff Heights for more than 20 years. “She answered call bells efficiently and swiftly, brought whatever materials were necessary, and offered to help everyone. Despite only having to be at the hospital from 9 AM to 2 PM, she has repeatedly volunteered past 2 PM to help.” Last summer, Fernandez took part in the educational programs Teens in Scrubs. For Teens in Scrubs, she shadowed doctors during surgeries, interviewed patients and wrote a research paper on the gastrointestinal tract. “Through her experience in these healthcare programs, she CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
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and things that we’ll actually be presenting,” Ortiz says.
Common Pantry on East 109 Street in Harlem. Akaysha often stayed after her required hours, helping distribute food and building relationships with those in need. th
Last summer, as part of the same program, Akaysha and other students created a city-approved partnership between the YMCA and the Legal Aid Society to help raise awareness among teens about their rights when interacting with law enforcement.
Her time at the pantry solidified what she’s known since childhood: countless New Yorkers need help and it is her duty to be there for them. “Being able to actually interact with them on a personal level, and getting to know some of them, has made me realize even more that they are people too and they deserve the same opportunities as everyone else,” Akaysha said. “You can be homeless for different reasons and it should not be viewed so stereotypically.”
“She’s not a follower,” Ortiz says. “When I first started, she didn’t really care what her friends were doing. She thinks outside of the box, she wants to be outside of the box.” Her involvement in activism has helped her decide to pursue a career in law. For her, the bottom line is simple:
Although her internship at New York Common Pantry ended, she was asked to stay on as a per-diem staffer, a job she cherishes.
One of her leaders at the YMCA is Ashley Ortiz, a 22-year-old senior at New York University. Ortiz is part of a team of leaders that is working with Akaysha and other students as they put together a proposal to combat police brutality that they will present to the City Council on March 31.
But homeless outreach is only one of her passions. Social injustice has become a focus for her in recent months.
“Right now we’re working on police brutality among teens, and she’s been able to share her thoughts, opinions
“People have told me I should consider that. I don’t know; I feel like I can always do that when I’m older.”
FERNANDEZ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
resulted in acceptance to Fordham University’s prestigious Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), which she participated in from 20152017. At STEP, she won the STEP Geometry Award while also learning to code, creating a website about racial injustice, and presenting material about African Burial Ground.
extracurricular activities, including Varsity Cheerleading, Debate Club, and STEM/STEAM clubs. She was awarded the Varsity Athlete and Student Athlete award in each of her three years at Cathedral High School.
has been well exposed to the nursing lifestyle and hospital environment,” Tolentino added. “I see her becoming a great nurse who is intelligent, knowledgeable in health, hardworking and passionate.” Her diligence in outside internship endeavors matches her noteworthy performance in school. Science teacher Svetlana Sverbeeva reflects, “Maria is highly proficient in applying the course material in analyzing the problem situations – she also explains her points of view concisely and gives supporting arguments that are clear and persuasive. At a personal level, Maria is a well-disciplined, positive student with a pleasant personality. She has a rare blend of steely determination, incredible self-discipline, and great teamwork skills.” Her strength in the sciences also
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Maria also excels in History and Government. According to US History teacher Stephen B. Yozaites Jr., “Maria consistently showcases originality in her schoolwork, and her ability to think quickly and critically amid the rigors of an AP class is a testament to her passion, preparation and hard work. Maria is an excellent writer, a strong public speaker, and holds herself to rigorous moral and academic standards.” Despite her full academic schedule, Fernandez participates in numerous
“I just want a career that helps people, that’s number one on my list,” she says. When asked if she’d ever consider running for public office, Akaysha laughs.
“Maria has a solid work ethic and is extremely conscientious – dedicated to her studies and taking the most demanding course load that her schedule will allow,” conveyed Guidance Counselor Danielle Tourdo. “She is extremely active both in and out of school, and with her drive, motivation and determination, she utilizes New York City as an extension of the classroom to challenge her intellect and to expand on her interests. Maria, who will graduate June 2018, has already achieved so much during her enrollment at Cathedral High School. For her senior year, and beyond, the sky is the limit!
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SCHOOL N EWS
CHS Senior Wins Hispanic Heritage Award for Tech
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took top honors on her category, but now qualifies for a national award.
Katalina was selected along with 21 other recipients from an applicant base of over ten thousand nationwide. The foundation chose students for different awards in technology, business, education, engineering and more. The Cathedral community is more than proud of Katalina for being one of the top students selected. She not only
On her achievement, Katalina writes: “It is an honor to receive an award from a foundation that celebrates the excellence of minority students. As a female Hispanic woman pursuing a career in STEM, it is encouraging to receive support from The Hispanic Heritage Foundation and from Google. It was also an amazing moment at the ceremony when we realized that all the gold medalists for each category were female. It made me feel proud and ecstatic that women were taking the
his past November, CHS senior Katalina Bustamante was the recipient of the Gold Award in the Technology Category given by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, sponsored by Google!
lead. I am grateful to have a community that has supported my ambitions and celebrated my successes while also embarking on and sharing their own.” Katalina intends to use the scholarship to help fund a research project that investigates the role of specific mi-RNA in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. Her inspiration comes from a previous project in which she helped create the environment for synthetic red blood cells to block a tumor as part of a new embolization treatment.
Students Learn STEM at The Cooper Union
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ver the course of the spring semester, CHS sophomore Faith Morales and junior Andrea Madrid participated in The Cooper Union’s intensive STEM-Saturdays program. The program is run by The Cooper Union undergraduate and graduate students, who mentor high schoolers as they design, build, test, and present their innovative solution to a real-life engineering problem. For 12 consecutive weeks, high school students across New York City are engaged in hands-
on learning while creating their own STEM-related projects. This semester the theme was “Tech for Good,” and both Faith and Andrea decided to take on the task of improving current transportation conditions. “I’d recommend this program to all students, whether you think you like electrical engineering or not. It’s definitely helped me figure out more of the career path I want to pursue,” says Faith, whose group won 3rd place overall
after presenting their invention of a sensor to track bus commuters. She also thanks The Cooper Union for exposing her to all types of new technology of which she would otherwise not have had the opportunity to use, such as laser cutters, 3D printers, shop tools, and other 3D rapid prototyping machines. Most projects focused on coding, wiring, and microcontrollers, skills she and Andrea did not necessarily find familiar. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
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She continues, “I was never big on electrical engineering, but it was fantastic to try something unfamiliar, realize new skills, and accomplish new things. I was also able to connect with mentors who are students in all different areas of engineering – not just electrical – so it was truly eyeopening. Because of the program, I feel more confident and prepared to attend college level courses.” Andrea’s advice for students interested in next semester’s STEM-Saturdays: “Be open to trying new things. Take every opportunity, even if you think it’s not for you. You might discover interests you never knew.”
CHS Hosts Inaugural Legacy Society Lunch & Learn On
April 10th, 2018 Cathedral invited financial expert Edward Mendlowitz, CPA to speak at our first Legacy Society Lunch & Learn. The event welcomed alumnae, donors, and other supporters to join CHS staff and students in learning more about the benefits of charitable giving and Cathedral’s Sr. Mary Raymond Legacy Society. Edward Mendlowitz, CPA is a partner in WithumSmith+Brow, PC, CPAs and is one of Accounting Today’s 100 Most Influential people. He has authored 26 books and over 1200 articles and blogs for professional journals and newsletters. He was inducted into
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the Estate Planning Hall of Fame in November 2017, and currently works as an adjunct professor within Fairleigh Dickinson University’s MBA graduate program. His lecture at Cathedral was filmed and can be viewed at http://bit.ly/2kAj3Sq. We are very grateful for our guest speaker and all of our supporters who attended. We hope to plan more Lunch & Learn events, open to the public. For more information about charitable giving and Cathedral’s Legacy Society, please visit www.chslegacysociety.org.
Andrea’s group won The Cooper Union Spirit Award for their project on a color-based speeding sensor for car dashboards. Rather than having to squint at the speedometer behind the wheel, drivers would have the sensor light up as green, yellow, or red depending on how closely they were following the speed limit. “My group kept changing ideas and coming across setbacks, but we did not give up. I learned that it’s okay to start from scratch, and that sometimes that’s the way to true success.” Cathedral guidance counselor Sister Patricia Deasy says that Cathedral High School is “most appreciative of the excellent field trips and programs that are offered at The Cooper Union. George Delagrammatikas, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Program Director of the STEM Outreach Program, graciously welcomes our students and inspires them to consider STEM careers and achieve goals greater than they would have imagined.”
CORRECTIONS The graduation year for Helen CoxNadel was incorrectly listed as 1983. She is a 1958 graduate. We apologize for the misprint.
THE CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SPRING/SUMMER 2018
EDUCATOR FEATURE PROFI STORYL E
FACULTY PROFILE:
MIKE CARTOLANO “I try to ask them questions to see what is important to them – not just what we have to go over in class, but what is important to them.”
In
the past four decades, religion teacher Mike Cartolano has created quite a legacy at the school by educating generations of Cathedral’s young women. He has taught all four grade levels. This year, he is teaching freshman and sophomore students. When he applied to be a religion teacher at Cathedral and got the job, he found his home. “As they say, the rest is history because I haven’t moved since,” said Mike. This is Mike’s 41st year at Cathedral. He finds teaching rewarding, and he likes that every school year offers different challenges. He remarks, “The students of today are not the students of 40 years ago, obviously, or even 20 years ago. It seems to be more challenging today because there is an anti-religious feeling in society, and they are exposed to so many different things on the Internet that are negative towards their faith. I think it becomes a challenge to get them interested and to get them to want to search and explore their feelings and how they respond to God.” Even as societal attitudes towards religion may have changed, Mike says that Cathedral students come with a sense of values instilled in them by their parents. “I think
it makes them open to listening to me. It makes them more receptive to what I am saying because they have had something at home. I think that is what makes the process work. That is always what has made the process work.” To engage his students, Mike tries to find out what interests them as individuals. “I have always used humor in order to cajole them into being interested. I try to ask them questions to see what is important to them – not just what we have to go over in class, but what is important to them,” said Mike. “That appeals to them, certainly, when the teacher shows interest in them instead of just dictating to them.” Born in the Bronx and raised in Yonkers, Mike attended Catholic grammar school and high school. He majored in religious studies and political science at Manhattan College and attended graduate school at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. On his academic background, he remarked: “I have all that Catholic education behind me. It’s no wonder that I wound up at a Catholic high school.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
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Sofia Bautista Pertuz ’91
S
ofia Bautista Pertuz ’91, Assistant Vice President & Dean of Students at Hofstra University, brings some of the lessons learned at Cathedral to her current position. She credits her Cathedral experience with creating a strong foundation for her work as an education professional. One valuable lesson she learned at Cathedral is that everyone has potential. “I had several teachers that really took the time to understand me, to listen to me, and to say, you can do anything you want. You just need to work hard. And, don’t give up when things get hard,” said Sofia. She remembers teachers such as Mrs. Rivera, Mr. Adams, Mr. Marino, Sr. Janice Novotka and Sr. Eileen Regina, especially. “I can remember specific teachers who took me under their wing; took good care of me; and made me feel like I was really smart and I had a lot to offer,” said Sofia. Some of her favorite classes were her Spanish, English, natural sciences and social studies classes. After school, she was part of the student council; she wrote for the school paper; and she was also in the National Honor Society and service club. She played various instruments in the marching band, including the glockenspiel, bass drum, and cymbals. “I remember being in all of the parades,” she said. Through Cathedral, Sofia landed a part-time job at the law firm Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP. She also worked at the firm while she was attending college. She felt that Cathedral helped to instill some of the skills she used on-the-job at the law firm. “I felt like those of us
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hold various positions in the areas of residence life and student affairs at College of Saint Elizabeth, Seton Hall University, Teachers College Columbia University, Wagner College, and Fordham University.
who were from Cathedral advanced more and seemed better prepared,” said Sofia. Sofia remembers the Cathedral environment as being firm, challenging, and, at the same time, very supportive. “I felt that the teachers really cared about who we were,” said Sofia. “[All of the teachers] made us feel like we were adults already. I never felt like I was being treated like a child. I always felt like they were respectful of our views.” After high school, Sofia attended State University of New York at New Paltz, where she majored in organizational communications. She took on several leadership positions at the university, including being a resident assistant. That positive experience led to her career in student affairs. She attended graduate school at Seton Hall University, where she studied educational administration and supervision. At Ramapo College of New Jersey, Sofia was a residence hall director, and she went on to
Now, in her current position at Hofstra University, she enjoys seeing her students develop. “They come in sometimes not knowing what they want to do next, and I help to create positive cocurricular experiences to assist them with their development so they can learn how they can use their experiences in college to help them with their future endeavors,” said Sofia. Sofia just earned her Ph.D. in higher education leadership, management and policy from Seton Hall last year. “Finishing my Ph.D. was a big deal because it took me a long time, but I stuck with it. I considered quitting several times, but I kept thinking, I have to finish and I did,” said Sofia. Sofia grew up in the Bronx and now lives in Long Island with her husband and two children, and she stays connected to Cathedral by going to the reunions. She attended her 25th reunion, two years ago, and she is now the Class of 1991 representative. For Sofia, her connection to the school has grown stronger over the years. She believes that will be the same for this year’s graduates as well. “They don’t realize how significant their connection to Cathedral is just yet. They will, in 25 years when they come back for their reunion. They will realize how close they are with their friends and what a great foundation they received — both educationally and spiritually,” said Sofia.
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Virginia Madden ’68 G
inny Kildoyle ’68 (known during school as Virginia Madden) chose Cathedral High School because she didn’t want to go to the same high school as all of her friends – she wanted to do something different. She attended the Immaculate Conception Branch in the Bronx (for her freshman and sophomore years) and she loved attending the main branch during her junior and senior years.
Little things stick out in her mind as she thinks back to her CHS days, like receiving colorful candy corsages from friends for her 16th birthday, or the day when the Sisters came to school wearing their new habits. “The most exciting part was the minimal headwear. Instead of only seeing their faces, it was going to show us the color of their hair, which to us students was very exciting,” said Ginny. “As each bell would ring to indicate time to change classes we would run down the halls and peek through the small rectangular windows in the classroom door to see how each Sister looked.” She enjoyed class with English teacher Mrs. Flood, who sparked her interest in poetry. “She was a lovely woman,” said Ginny. She also remembers trying out to be a baton twirler. “They had us lined up in the hallway, going one direction and then when they would turn the corner, there was a whole bunch of girls going the other way. Sr. Lawrence walked down the hall, and she said, ‘Smile. Point your toes.’ When it was all said and done, I was one of the few selected,” said Ginny. She cherishes her memories of marching in the St. Patrick’s Day and Columbus Day parades. Ginny credits Cathedral with giving her career a good start. When she was looking for her first job after high school, Ginny went back to Cathedral for assistance. Her guidance counselor, Michelle Mattia, connected her to an opportunity at the Waldorf Astoria, working in reservations at the men’s only Canadian Club, on the hotel’s 16th and 17th floors. “It was the most fun,” she said. She enjoyed working at the Waldorf Astoria and she also met celebrities like Robert Goulet and
Carol Lawrence, who performed residencies at the hotel. Next, a family friend helped her to get a foot in the door at United Airlines, where she had a long and exciting career working in the reservations department. As much as she could, she took advantage of the opportunity to travel. “I actually got engaged because of my job at United Airlines,” said Ginny. “My boyfriend at the time was in the Air Force in Germany, and one of the very first trips I took [was to Germany]. He surprised me and asked me to marry him. Two years, two months, and two days later, we got married when he got discharged.” Ginny and Edward Kildoyle had grown up together and now have been married for 46 years. They have traveled extensively together, and they discovered their own version of paradise in Aruba where they have taken an annual vacation for more than 20 years. “We go there every year in the last week of CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
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April around our anniversary,” said Ginny. “It’s heaven on earth.”
Outside of school, Mike enjoys movies, cooking, and the Yankees. He also has a passion for antique radio collecting. His collection spans from the 1920s-1970s. “I’ve always been interested in things of the past, especially technology of the past,” said Mike. He started building his collection with replica radios (modern radios that looked like antique radios), and then he bought his first vintage machine.
On her 25th anniversary with United Airlines, she wrote a thank you letter to the family friend who helped her to get that first position with the company. “Without his influence and guidance, I wouldn’t have had the wonderful career that I had,” said Ginny. She was with United Airlines for 37 years until her retirement in 2006. In 1974, she transferred to the United office in Northern Virginia. By coincidence, one of her co-workers was a Cathedral classmate, Janet DeJesus Rodriguez ’68. Ginny has been keeping up with classmates through Facebook, and this year, she attended her first Cathedral reunion, which was her 50th. As she flipped through her yearbook recently, Ginny read the remarks from her friends, noting her habit of smiling and laughing during high school. “It’s
really fun to read these impressions that people had of you when you were young,” she said. Even after all these years, thinking back on her Cathedral experience still makes Ginny smile.
Become a Class Rep! We began planning our 2019 Annual Alumnae Reunion right in the wake of our March Celebration. Next year we will be celebrating all years that end in ‘4 and ‘9. Help us make 2019 our biggest success yet! Below are the Class Representatives for celebrating years. We still need reps for 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, and 2004. 2009: Chantel Santos, chantelsantos@hotmail.com 2014: Tniya Reed, treed2u@gmail.com We especially need a volunteer from the class of 1969 to help make the 50-Year Reunion a success! If you’re interested in getting involved as a class rep or in the reunion planning process, please call Alumnae Relations Coordinator Randi Gutbrod at 212-688-1545 x 233 or email rgutbrod@cathedralhs.org 14
All of his collected radios are in working order, and he uses transmitters to stream music from Internet radio stations on the vintage radios, making for an authentic listening experience. “If I have a radio from the 1940s, I can listen to Frank Sinatra singing from the 1940s,” said Mike. “When I look at these radios I say, if only these radios could talk, because they have been through so many different owners through the years. You wonder who owned this radio initially and what was broadcast when this radio was new, back in the 1930s and 1940s. I like that connection, and of course, I love old music.” While he appreciates history, Mike has continued to evolve with his students. He loves discovering what makes his students special. “I see something new each year with each new group of students. They come with different interests, and they are funny in their own way. They make me laugh. That is what has kept me going all of this time.” He may have seen a lot of changes, but some things never change. “One thing that has been consistent, I think, is the fact that the students have been warm, and they have been welcoming to me, as their teacher.”
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ANNUAL REUNION On
March 24th, 2018 nearly 200 Cathedralites gathered for our annual Alumnae Reunion. While all alumnae are invited to attend, this year we especially celebrated all classes ending in ’3 and ’8. Following a Noon Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the alumnae returned to the school for lunch, tours, and a fun afternoon filled with memories and laughter. The Class of 1968 also received their Golden Diplomas in celebration of their 50th Reunion.
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Alumnae Regional Receptions
C
athedral High School recognizes that many of our graduates no longer live in the New York City area. To keep in touch, we plan a series of Regional Receptions to bring a bit of CHS to you. These events are a wonderful way to connect with CHS alumnae in your area and also learn about what’s happening at Cathedral. In February 2018, Carroll McGakey Stenson '61 generously hosted West Florida alumnae in her home in Bradenton, FL. Then, in May, Gail Goodwin ’69 organized an event for classmates in Georgia at her home in Fayetteville, GA. Both events were filled with laughter, reminiscing, and great stories about the Cathedral of yesterday and today. If you are interested in hosting a local alumnae reception, contact Randi Gutbrod, Alumnae Relations Coordinator for more information, 212-688-1545 x233, rgutbrod@ cathedralhs.org.
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’41
Dorothy Daly Ramsdell is now 94 years of age and retired from Hospital and Health where she worked as an Information Administrator. She was a Eucharistic Minister for 28 years and is still active in bringing Communion to the homebound. “God has blessed me and I him each day at daily mass.”
’75
Evelyn Ortiz has published her debut novel, now available on Amazon. “Mind Frame” is a psychological thriller about a young man named Bruce Spencer, trying to hold on to his sanity while he sees glimpses of 1966 through the eyes of a ten-year-old child. This is a story of a parent’s worst nightmare, loss, grief, and mental illness, with a message that love can transcend time.
’53
Esther Grosso Siegers attended Hunter College, Fordham University, and Elmira College for her NY State teaching certification. After graduation from Hunter she taught History and Spanish at the All Saint’s Branch of CHS while Sr. Thomas Mavie was Principal. IBM relocated her family upstate, where she raised two sons. She now has three grandchildren (one local, and two in Illinois where her one son lives).
’66
Linda Whalen Forbes became a nurse and then nurse practitioner after attending Cathedral High School. She currently has three married children and is a proud grandmother of seven. Linda lived in Kansas for over forty years, and currently resides in Ecuador with her husband.
’82
Christina Schleicher (nee Dailo) now lives in the Ecuador where her husband Rickie Schleicher runs a tour company. They spend half of the year near Quito and the other half in the Galapagos near San Cristobal Island together with his 10 year old son Roland and their three year old Brussels Griffon. She extends the invitation for all alumnae to come to the Galapagos for a tour with her family (www. cometogalapagos.com).
SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE In 2018 did you…Receive an award? Get a new job? Receive a promotion? Move? Publish a book? Do service work around the world or in your state? Get married? Have a baby?
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We want to know and so do your friends. Email us with your news at rgutbrod@cathedralhs.org to be included in the next Cathedral Connection.
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’83
Denise Rojas and others from the class of 1983 reconnected at Reunion and got together the following month for a karaoke night! They hope to continue to meet on an ongoing basis for fun events in the NYC metro-area. Alumnae from the class of ’83 can contact Denise at drojas609@gmail.com.
Calling Cathedral Writers! W
e are so proud of our many literary alumnae! We are creating a special section in the school’s library dedicated to alumnae work, and would love for you to send us a copy of your book. For more information, please email Randi Gutbrod (rgutbrod@cathedralhs.org) with details about your publication.
’17
Siara Maldonado has just completed her freshman year at University of Connecticut, which she describes as “exciting, stressful, and challenging in all the best ways.” In her short time there, she has already been selected as performance chair of the Puerto Rican Student Association, social media coordinator of Poetic Release, an active Husky Ambassador, and Afro-Latinx Chair of the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center.
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FEATURE STORY
I N MEMO RIAM
IN MEMORIAM: Margaret Mary Cronin Abendschein ’40 Margaret Mary Cronin
an officer in many positions including
Abendschein of Matthews, North
Vice President.
Carolina passed away on Saturday,
Peg loved her family and friends
November 4, 2017 in Novant
spending many hours visiting with
Presbyterian Hospital after a short
them. She also had a love of arts
illness. She was born on October 13,
and crafts and enjoyed fishing and
1922 to John P. Cronin and Margaret
boating. Peg also loved the ocean and
O’Shea Cronin in New York City,
spent many vacations by the water,
NY. Peg was a graduate of Cathedral
especially Myrtle Beach.
H.S. in New York City. She then attended Holy Cross Business School
She is predeceased in death by her
and Hunter College.
husband Albert E. Abendschein, sisters Joan Cronin and Mary
Peg was married to Albert E.
Vaughn, sister-in-law Shirley
Abendschein on August 3, 1946 and
Abendschein. She is survived by her
they resided in Valhalla, New York
daughter Barbara L. Fuller (Jerome)
until moving to Matthews, North
of Monroe, NC, son Edward E.
Carolina in 1996. In 2011 Peg moved
Abendschein of Black Rock, CT and
to Plantation Estates Retirement Community in Matthews. She had a career in insurance and education, working at Met Life, IRM and Westchester County Board of Education as an Executive Secretary. She was a member of the National Secretaries Assn. (PSI) and served as
son-in-law Joseph W Gadbois of Stallings, NC; also grandchildren Dianne Savelle (Tim), Mark Gadbois (Jill) and Tyler Reincke; and great-grandson Trenton Savelle.
The Cathedral High School community extends its deepest sympathy to the loved ones of recently deceased alumnae and friends. Please remember them in your prayers. Bernice Bruns Letko ’36
Gertrude L. Balicki ’45
Mary E. Smith ’49
Margaret Mary Cronin Abendschein ’40
Sister Joan Glowacki ’45
Marie Prenter Blackmore ’51
Sister Margaret Aileen Fennell ’46
Rose Ann Farrelly Murphy ’51
Theresa A. Ruocco ’46
Frances Jensen Davis ’52
Eileen Foran Galvin ’47 Elizabeth Clare Halpin ’47
Mary Jane (May) Nugent Weinbaum ’52
Janet Roche Stoddard ’47
Marian Deutsch Lontkowski ’55
Mary Gleason O’Connor ’48
Gandolfa Gambino-Valinoti ’57
Theresa C. Ruocco ’48
Elba N. Garcia-Gutierrez ’68
Sister Bernadette Marie Del Frate ’49
Christine O’Malley LoBue ’59
Mary Dillon Downes ’49
Madaline Mulligan ’59
Anne Lennon Rempel ’49
Lorraine Sawyer DeNato ’59
Sister Mary Richard Rowley, S.C. ’40 Alice Mackenroth Maher ’41 Lillian Sheehan Moorehead ’41 Marie Romano Rose ’41 Sister Rita Meaney, S.C. ’42 Jeanette Crowley Cotter ’43 Mary Murray Houlihan ’43 Aileen Manning Kehoe ’43 Sister Marietta Joseph Mackin, S.C. '43
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IN MEMORIAM: Sister Mary Richard Rowley, S.C. ’40 Sister Mary Richard Rowley (Margaret Mary) was born January 16, 1922 in Manhattan, the sixth of eight children—four daughters and four sons—of John and Mary O’Connor Rowley. Margaret attended Saint Alphonsus School and Cathedral High School, both in Manhattan. For a few years she worked in the government division of the railroads that routed US troops throughout the country during World War II. She then entered the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 7, 1945. Sister Richard earned a BA in History from the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
Upon retiring from education, Sister Richard became a volunteer in parish ministry, working in the food pantry of Immaculate Conception Parish on Staten Island, and preparing students for the Sacrament of Confirmation. In 2004, she moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to assist with pastoral ministry in Saint Sebastian Parish. Sister Richard returned to New York in 2012 to live at the Convent of Mary the Queen in Yonkers. In 2014, she was among the first group of sisters to move with the retirement community to Kittay House in the Bronx.
During Sister Richard’s forty-six years in the ministry of education, she taught every grade in elementary school, and religion and history on the high school level. Her first mission was Saint Mary’s in Yonkers, followed by Blessed Sacrament in Manhattan. Throughout the rest of her years in education, Sister Richard taught in the following schools: Saint Augustine, Blessed Sacrament, and Elizabeth Seton Academy, all in the Bronx; Saint Gabriel, New Rochelle; Saint Mary, Saint Peter High School for Girls, and Our Lady Star of the Sea, all on Staten Island; Our Lady of Mercy, Port Chester; Saint Mary, Wappingers Falls; Saint Francis of Assisi, Mount Kisco; Saint Gregory the Great, Harrison; Resurrection, Rye; and Saint Patrick, Manhattan.
Sister Richard and her long-time friend, Sister Marguerite McGilly, were missioned on Staten Island when the 9/11 tragedy happened. The sisters watched as events unfolded from the waterfront near Immaculate Conception Parish. For weeks following 9/11, the sisters went to the waterfront each day after school and were a presence to all those who gathered, listening to them, and crying and praying with them. Sister Richard said, “Never before have I realized the impact the presence of a Sister of Charity could bring. Each day we would hear, ‘Hey, guys, look, the sisters are here.’ The strength and courage that got us through those days was the knowledge that each sister was bearing our burdens, and that the love we were able to give flowed from all.”
IN MEMORIAM: Lillian Sheehan Moorehead ’41 Lillian Sheehan Moorehead was born September 19, 1922 and graduated from Cathedral in 1941. She died in Long Beach, NY on July 5, 1998. She was married to Andrew Moorehead for 50 plus years and had 4 children James, Robert, Susan and June. She was predeceased by James who died in 1972 and her
husband Andrew who died in 1997. She was a homemaker in Jackson Heights, NY and was very active in St. Joan of Arc Church/Parish and the Home and School Association. She attended daily mass, loved to dance and was a dear friend to many. She met with her Cathedral girlfriends for many, many years. She worked in
the Buying Department of Associated Dry Goods, the owner at the time of Lord and Taylor, and retired around 1985. She and her husband ultimately moved to Long Beach where they lived until their passing. Lillian’s family also included 3 grandchildren, James, Andrew and Julia whom she adored.
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IN MEMORIAM: Sister Rita Meaney, S.C. ’42 Sister Rita Meaney (Sister Maureen Catherine) was born in Bronx, NY, on October 7, 1924, one of three daughters and three sons of Patrick and Katherine Keating Meaney. Rita attended Saint Augustine School, Bronx, and Cathedral High School before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1944. Sister Catherine received her BS in Business Administration from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and an MSW in Social Work from Fordham University. She later earned permanent NYS certification in Nursing Home Administration and Social Work. Sister Rita began her ministry as an
elementary teacher at Saint Joseph Academy and Saint John the Evangelist, both in Manhattan. In 1951 she began her life-long association with the field of child care when she went to Saint Agatha Home in Nanuet. Over her fifteen years there she filled many roles. In 1966 she was assigned to Saint Joseph Hall in Brooklyn. For the next thirty years, as Administrator, and through its transition to Saint Joseph Services for Children and Families, Sister Rita provided the leadership and programs needed as methods and philosophy of child care changed throughout the country. To this time of risk and radical change, she brought the same care, dedication and
sense of service she brought to all her work. Sister Rita considered it a privilege to have the opportunity to serve children and families in need, and a source of pride to do it as a member of a Congregation committed to this service since its foundation. After leaving Saint Joseph Services, Sister Rita volunteered in the adoption department of the New York Foundling for several years. Sister Rita dedicated sixty-three years of ministry to child care and child services and to families who loved and supported children in need. We rejoice with her now as she enters into the joy of her God and is greeted by those loving words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Be at peace, Sister Rita.
IN MEMORIAM: Mary Murray Houlihan ‘43 Mary Murray Houlihan, 90, of Bronxville NY and Palm Beach FL, died peacefully on February 3rd, 2018 at Calvary Hospital after a long illness. She is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, James G Houlihan. A long-time resident of Bronxville, she previously resided in the Bronx, graduated from Our Lady of Angels Grammar School in 1939, Cathedral High School in 1943, College of Mount St. Vincent in 1947 and received her Master’s degree from Fordham School of Social Services in 1949. She worked as a social worker at Catholic Charities and then devoted herself to
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raising her children and serving as a volunteer and Eucharistic Minister. She served at Calvary Hospital, St Patrick’s Home, The Pregnancy Care Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. Many years later, she returned to the study of social work, earning a doctorate in gerontology from the Fordham University School of Social Service in 1986. Her dissertation, entitled “Family Caregivers of the Terminally-Ill and Elderly” was forward-thinking and ultimately had relevance in her own life.
and Patrick Murray. In addition to her
She was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Joseph Murray, a sister, Rosaleen Sage, and three brothers, Msgr. James J Murray, John T Murray,
and their respective spouses and seven
husband, she is survived by one sister, Sr. Mary Rose Murray, SU., her children: James J. (Patricia), John (Judy), William (Claire), Mary Coleman (James), Thomas (Genevieve), and Patricia MacRae (David). She is also survived by eighteen cherished grandchildren: Christie Houlihan, Michael McEvoy, Kelly Buckley, Meghan McEvoy, Bryan Houlihan, Erin Flanagan, Kerry Salvatierra, Siobhan Houlihan, Katharine Houlihan, Ellen Houlihan, Terence Houlihan, Mary W. Houlihan, Caitlin, Kara and Kevin Coleman, Emily Houlihan, Timothy and Elizabeth MacRae great grandchildren: Kieran, Maggie and Grace Salvatierra, Molly and Josie Flanagan, and James and Charles Buckley.
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IN MEMORIAM: Sister Marietta Joseph Mackin, S.C. ’43 Sister Marietta Joseph Mackin (Mary Anne) was born October 12, 1925 in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. She was the older of two daughters born to Joseph and Margaret Doherty Mackin. Mary Anne attended Saint Benedict School, Bronx, and Cathedral High School before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1943. Sister Joseph received her BA in Sociology from Saint John’s University and an MS in Education from Fordham University. She later earned NYS permanent certification in Math as well as in School Administration and Supervision.
After first profession, Sister Joseph was missioned to Saint Joseph Hall, Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn. There she served as group mother for fifteen years. In 1961, she began many years of ministry in the field of education. Sister Joseph taught for eleven years at Saint Augustine School, Bronx, and served as Assistant Principal there for five years. She was then missioned to Saint Mary in Saugerties where she taught the eighth grade. In 1979, Sister Joseph became the Principal of Our Lady of the Angelus School, Rego Park, a position she held for the next eighteen years. When she retired in
1997, a tribute written of her stated, “You have invested your heart and soul into the students and faculty of Our Lady of the Angelus School. You have truly influenced and shaped our lives and, therefore, you will not be forgotten.” In retirement, Sister Joseph was a volunteer at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers where she helped at the reception desk, providing information and kind words. Sister moved to Mount Saint Vincent Convent in 2000, and in 2014 she was among the first group of Sisters to move to the New Jewish Home, Assisted Living Program (ALP), in the Bronx.
IN MEMORIAM: Sister Joan Glowacki ’45 Sister Joan Glowacki (Sister Maria Seton) was born December 22, 1927 in Maspeth, Queens. She was the only daughter of Francis and Sophie Kaminski Glowacki. She attended Holy Family School in the Bronx, and Cathedral HS in New York City, before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1946. She received a BA in English from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. Sister Joan’s ministry in the field of elementary education spanned almost thirty years. Her first mission was Resurrection School, Rye, followed by Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Manhattan, and Saint Patrick School, Bedford, NY. Sister Joan was then sent to Saint Monica School, Jamaica, NY, Saint Barnabas School, Bronx, and Our
Lady of the Angelus School, Rego Park, Queens. Sister Joan spent one year at Saint Joseph by-the-Sea HS, Staten Island, providing secretarial services before returning to teaching at Saints Peter and Paul School, Bronx, Resurrection School, Rye, and Saint Joseph School, Yonkers. After a year of study, Sister Joan worked as a clerical and library assistant at Saint Joseph’s School, Yonkers, and Saint Joseph by-the-Sea HS, Staten Island. She became the receptionist at Mount Saint Vincent Convent for three years and then worked as a volunteer at Yonkers General Hospital. In 1998, Sister Joan retired to the ministry of prayer, service and witness and moved to the Convent of Mary the Queen in 2001. She lived there until 2014 when she moved with the first group of sisters to Kittay House in the Bronx.
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IN MEMORIAM: Sister Margaret Aileen Fennell ’46 Sister Margaret Aileen Fennell (Sister Miriam Brendan) was born March 23, 1928 in New York City. She was one of five children, four daughters and one son, of Michael and Margaret Ryan Fennell. Margaret attended Saint Luke School in the Bronx and Cathedral High School, Manhattan, and then worked for one year before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 7, 1947. Sister Brendan received a BA in Spanish from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and an MS in Guidance from Fordham University. She later earned NYS Permanent Certification in Spanish and Guidance. Sister Margaret Aileen’s first ministry assignments were in the field of elementary education. Sister taught at Resurrection School, Rye; Our Lady of Angels School and Saints Peter and Paul School, both in the Bronx; Saint Francis Xavier School, Saint Brigid School and Saint Patrick School, in Manhattan. In 1969, Sister Margaret Aileen became a secondary school guidance counselor. She served at the Academy of Mount Saint Vincent in Tuxedo Park; Saint Vincent Ferrer HS, Manhattan; Saint Barnabas HS, Bronx; Saint Joseph by-the-Sea HS, Staten Island; and Cardinal Spellman HS, Bronx. Sister remained in the Guidance Department at Cardinal Spellman for fourteen years. After her retirement from active ministry, Sister Margaret Aileen continued as a volunteer at Cardinal Spellman for many years. In 2003 she moved to Mount Saint Vincent Convent where she spent twelve years, then moved to Cabrini of Westchester, Dobbs Ferry, in 2015.
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IN MEMORIAM: Eileen C. Foran Galvin ‘47 Eileen C. Galvin, 87, of Estero, FL, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice. Eileen was born June 26, 1930 in New York City to Catherine and Thomas Foran of County Tipperary, Ireland. She joined her older brothers Andrew and Tom and grew up in the typical Irish American Catholic family. While attending Cathedral High School in Manhattan, Eileen was active in her parish societies. She was a member of the Children of Mary and was a found and officer of the Parish Social Club. Eileen was also a worker for the Catholic Charities and the annual Church Bazaar. Thus began Eileen’s commitment to charitable work. Eileen was a teenager during the Big Band Era and loved to dance. She was very popular at the weekly church dances and could “Lindy” with anyone. Eileen also loved Irish music and probably knew the words to every Irish song ever written. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and knew all of the dances. She attended many Irish affairs in Yorkville and danced the night away with the best of them. Her father Tom Foran was active in Irish circles and loved to take Eileen to his County dances and occasionally to Croke Park (or Gaelic Park as it’s called today) for Irish football games. One Sunday, Tipperary was playing and Mr. Foran asked Eileen to attend with him. At the game, Eileen met player Ambrose Galvin, reigning champ of the GAA. The 6 foot and 4 inch Ambrose and less than 5 foot Eileen quickly became a couple affectionately known as “Might Mouse
and the Gentle Giant,” and married soon after they met. Eileen and Ambrose moved to Bogota, New Jersey and raised their two children Thomas and Ellen. When Ambrose retired, they moved to Florida where they became active in the Irish Heritage Society and took on the responsibility of raising funds for the construction of new facilities at St. Peter Clover. Eileen became active in the Chamber of Commerce in Estero, the Estero Historical Society, and Our Lady of Light Catholic Ladies Society. Eileen ran many events for all of these organizations, raising much needed money for various causes, and became well known for running the fashion show for Our Lady of Light Catholic Church. The Fashion Show became such a hot ticket it was moved to the largest country club restaurant in all of South West Florida! When Ambrose became ill, she took on the role of caretaker. Eileen took care of Ambrose at home for three years, while still remaining active in the Chamber and Parish. “Mighty Mouse” pulled herself together after the death of her husband and was able to run a luncheon for 150 people just two weeks after his passing. That is the type of “true grit” Eileen has shown all her life. On the days prior to her death, she was at home working on her beloved Fashion Show. Eileen loved her husband, Ambrose; her children Tom and Ellen; her grandchildren Danny, Michelle, Conner, and Cameron; and great grand-daughter Aria. She believed in God and His Blessed Mother.
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IN MEMORIAM: Sister Bernadette Marie Del Frate ’49 Sister Bernadette Marie Del Frate (Sister Maureen Joseph) was born September 11, 1931 in Jackson Heights, Queens, one of two daughters born to Victor and Marguerite Ryan Del Frate. Bernadette attended Sacred Heart School, Bronx, and Cathedral High School before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1949. She earned a BA in Latin and Education from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and an MA in Education Administration from Marquette University. She later earned NYS Permanent Certification for grades N–6 and Elementary School Administration. Sister Bernadette’s first ministry was elementary education. She taught at Our Lady of Angels, Bronx, and Resurrection, Rye. She was principal of Saint Gabriel, East Elmhurst, and Sacred Heart, Hartsdale. Sister Bernadette spent one year at the Elizabeth Seton
until 1995. After a year sabbatical at the Washington Theological Union, Sister Bernadette became Director of Grace Institute Outreach Program, Bronx, for two years, and then taught in the program for two additional years. She was Assistant to the Director of the Sisters of Charity Multi-Service Center, Yonkers, for three years. Sister Bernadette retired in 2003 but continued in many volunteer activities in Sacred Heart Parish, Hartsdale, throughout the next decade. In her few moments of spare time, she loved to get her hands into the earth of the convent garden.
House of Prayer, Scarsdale, where she was involved in prayer ministry there. She became the Director of Education for the Sisters of Charity in 1985 and in 1987 was elected a Regional Coordinator for two terms, serving
When Sister Bernadette moved to the Convent of Mary the Queen, she continued to be a communityminded and prayerful presence. In 2015 she moved from the Convent of Mary the Queen to Schervier Nursing Care Center in Riverdale with a small group of sisters.
IN MEMORIAM: Marie Prenter Blackmore ’51 Marie Prenter Blackmore, class of 1951, originally from Brewster, MA and Monroe, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at the age of 84. Born in New York City on March 16, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Kathleen (McQuillian) Prenter. She was the beloved wife of the late Francis Xavier Blackmore. Upon her graduation from Cathedral High School in Manhattan, Marie had
worked at General Motors. In 1960, the family moved from New York City to Monroe, NY. Soon after, she began college and became a teacher at Sacred Heart School. She had a love of learning and education. She had a second career as a well-established real estate agent in the Orange County New York area. Marie could sing beautifully and was artistic, painting with oil and watercolors. Her artwork is cherished and proudly displayed by her family.
Marie is survived by her three daughters, Katherine Doliner and her husband Harlan of Holliston, Patricia Moore and her partner Kevin Conklin of Wallkill, New York and Teresa Trainer and her husband Dyson of Little River, SC. She also leaves behind her five grandchildren, Ryan Doliner, Kyle and Meghan Moore, Samantha and Daniel Trainer; her brother George Prenter, her sister-in-law, Sister Mary Francis, as well as several nieces and nephews.
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IN MEMORIAM: Mary Jane “May” Nugent Weinbaum ’52 Mary Jane (May) Weinbaum passed away on November 10, 2017 at the age of 83, surrounded by her loved ones in Royal Oak, MI after a 16-year battle with Parkinson’s. She and her husband Bob had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 24. May was born in New York City to immigrant Irish parents. She married and divorced young, and having decided it would be better to be poor in paradise she relocated to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, with her three young children in tow. In October 1966, while doing the books at a small guest house, she caught the eye of a vacationing Washington, DC layer. Within 8 months and after only 21 days in each other’s company during that period, the Catholic divorcee married the Jewish bachelor who was working at the U.S. Department of Justice at the time, and she and the kids joined him in Washington. The nation’s political climate in the late 60’s and early 70’s sparked in the May a deep sense of justice. After moving to suburban Detroit, the last of her four children arrived and she became involved in the anti-war movement. May hosted actress-turned-activist Jane Fonda in her home for an antiwar fundraiser and was a delegate to the People’s Peace Treaty Conference in Paris. Also of note was her protest at GM headquarters for GM’s roles in arms production when by then Bob was an attorney (in that very same building) for the automakers. May marched in front of the building with her baby in her arms, and with Bob’s blessing. The family moved to Detroit proper in 1973 where May focused on the local political issues of the day, and there were many. May loved to cook and she was a great one. At bedtime, she often read her cook books before falling asleep. Be it her chicken soup, a poached salmon in aspic, meatloaf, spaghetti, or a cassoulet, it was wonderful. Her holiday turkeys were always moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. She was a fearless chef and enjoyed trying new recipes, making her own changes along the way. How often did Bob ask, “Hone, can you make this the same way again?” And the reply was always, “I’ll try.” Life’s next chapter was written by May and Bob’s love for the tropics where they met. They fell for Key West on their first visit there and eventually became home owners for almost 40 years. Their tropical home away from home for six months of the year
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overflows with treasured memories for family and dear friends – the sultry warm breezes, the Cuban coffee, the chickens, the Conch houses, the different “pace,” soon became part of one’s DNA. In 2007, May and Bob simplified their lives in Michigan by selling their suburban home and moving into a downtown Royal Oak condominium to facilitate May’s increased mobility challenges. From an early age May possessed the indomitable spirit she carried throughout her life, in everything she did. Bob was her partner, her mate, in every sense of the word. As the going started to become difficult for May, Bob was at her side every step of the way. She also was blessed with extraordinary caregivers both in Florida and in Michigan. For each of them, May’s well-being always came first. May was the beloved wife of Robert C. Weinbaum; loving mother of Jeanne (Michael) Sarnacki, Robert (Joy) Angelastro, Amy Anthony and John Weinbaum; grandmother to Elliot (Leslie), Franny (John), Jordan, Nicholas, Cortlyn, and Ty; great-grandmother to Rocco; dear sister to Anne Wettler, Ed Nugent, Sr., the late James Nugent, the late Henry Nugent, and the late Hugh Nugent.
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I N MEMO RIAM
IN MEMORIAM: Gandolfa Ann Gambino-Valinoti, ‘57 her faith, developing her vast intellect, and continuing to provide compassion and support to the needy and less fortunate. Throughout her life, she loved attending Catholic Mass in English and Latin, regularly went to the library, and was an avid reader of fiction, biographies, and mysteries.
Gandolfa GambinoValinoti, class of 1957, died on Aug. 4, 2017, at 78 years old after a brief illness. Gandolfa was born on July 6, 1939, in New York City to the late Rosaria Badagliacca and Gioacchino Gambino. She lived on Elizabeth Street in Manhattan during her younger years, and moved to Staten Island after marrying her late husband, Rocco Valinoti, in 1960. Gandolfa and Rocco had four children, Marie, Robert, Jack, and Vincent; the family lived in Great Kills for almost 40 years. She returned to her New York City roots in 2000, and was living near Gramercy Park at the time of her death. She graduated from Cathedral High School, and attended Pace University on a prestigious New York City mayoral scholarship. After raising her children, Gandolfa received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the College of Staten Island. She had an extensive and very successful career as a personal assistant to Wall Street business and banking executives.
and cared immensely about their well-being, education, and physical, spiritual, and emotional development. She was an active member of the PTA at P.S. 53, I.S. 24, and Monsignor Farrell High School, which her sons attended, and supported the many sports teams her late husband, Rocco, coached in the Great Kills Little League and the Staten Island Pee Wee Football League.
Gandolfa devoted her later working life to the children in the public schools of New York City and Staten Island, working as the principal’s aide. She adored being with and helping children
Gandolfa was also deeply religious and led a monastic and saint-like life, which she devoted to her late husband, Rocco, raising her children, caring for the children of others, strengthening
In addition to her life’s work, Gandolfa was an amazing cook who loved to prepare simple and delicious dishes in the style of her Sicilian heritage. Everyone who visited Gandolfa always counted on tasting her one-of-akind tomato sauce, out-ofthis- world chicken cutlets and eggplant parmigiana, pizza rustica, biscotti, pignoli cookies, or fantastic pasta and fish dishes. Gandolfa spent many wonderful years cooking extraordinary feasts for her family at the Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving holidays. Gandolfa is survived by her loving sister and brother, Joan D’Agostino and Vincent Siniscalchi; her sons, Robert, Jack, and Vincent; her daughtersin-law, Brynn, Vanessa, and Cecilia; her grandchildren, Sophia, Amanda, Max, Alexa, and Angelica, and many loving nieces and nephews and their children, all of whom will sorely miss Gandolfa’s compassion, care, cooking, and beautiful spirit.
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