Advancing the
MISSION INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Leaving a Legacy of Faith
FALL 2013
showing how deeply she cared. Her own experiences with trials and difficulties enhanced her ability to serve others with love, joy, and patience. In his homily during Sandra’s Mass of Christian Burial, Msgr. Richard Shirley stated, “The one thing that epitomized her is that she was truly a woman of faith.” Henry added: “I believe that the foundation for her faith, love, and courage was laid by her parents and the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, who taught her.”
Sandra Sykora, her granddaughters Leah and Lindsey, and her sister-in-law Jonelle LeMaire “Since my mom’s death in June, 2011, not a day goes by that I am not reminded of her and all she taught me,” reminisced her son, Henry LeMaire. “I was so proud of her and all she did for others. In October, 2011, I established the Sandra Pope LeMaire Sykora Scholarship as a tribute to her and a way of keeping her memory alive.” A descendant of the pioneering Dunn/Dunne family, Sandra followed in the footsteps of family members who were strongly committed to Catholic education at Incarnate Word Academy— Katie Dunn, who graduated in 1913; Maxwell P. Dunne, Jr., who graduated in 1927; her mother Virgin Dunne Pope, in 1931, to name but a few of the many relatives educated at IWA. After completing her elementary education at CC Cathedral School, Sandra graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in 1966 and later sent her son Henry to IWA. Sandra was a lovely, caring lady who lived a life of kindness, generosity and service. Henry described her as a “selfless giver and a great mom.” Her commitment to the Sisters and priests of the Corpus Christi Diocese was evident in the time, attention, and service she gave to them so selflessly throughout her lifetime. Sandra had a unique gift of relating and consoling those who had lost loved ones with a compassion and graciousness—
Her faith grew during her childhood and adolescent years when she searched for answers to even the most fundamental questions about life. During much of her adult life she faithfully looked after an aging parent, being there for her night and day, all the while being present on the job. Her work was more than just a job; it was her vocation and the honor she believed she was given to help grieving families during their own pain with the loss of a loved one. Sandra was always willing to put herself out for a neighbor, a friend, or someone who needed that helping hand or that listening ear. The totality of Sandra’s life and her faithfulness give witness Henry LeMaire and his mother Sandra Sykora to the gift of generous service in the way she lived, the values she espoused, and the fidelity of a lifetime. Her son Henry is indebted to his mother for her example of goodness and faith. He is grateful to those who joined him in making the Sandra Pope LeMaire Sykora Scholarship a reality. “Setting up this scholarship in honor of my mom has been a rewarding experience for me,” stated Henry, “Since it will provide an ongoing way of continuing her legacy of faith. I would encourage anyone wanting to spread the Good News through Catholic education to support the IWA Scholarship Program.”