Magnificat Alumnae who became HM Sisters

Since 1959, Magnificat students have embraced the school’s Mission and been inspired by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary’s humility, joy, and faith. Interactions with the HMs led many Magnificat students to prayerfully discern a religious vocation. Of these, 14 women responded to God’s call and made lifelong commitments to live as HM Sisters themselves. 

Before Vatican II, women religious typically ministered as teachers or nurses. After 1967, many HM Sisters embraced diverse ministries as they answered Vatican II’s call to respond to the modern world’s needs. 

Sister Catherine McConnell ’63 ministered as a missionary in El Salvador for seven years, and upon returning to the United States, continued to serve as a pastoral minister in parishes that served predominantly Hispanic parishioners. The late Sister Kathleen O’Donnell ’61 ministered both as an instructor for the deaf and as a board-certified chaplain. In her ministry, she also counseled incarcerated young men. Similarly, Sister Susan Corrigan ’59 and Sister Mary Beth Marquard ’62 earned counseling degrees and provided mental health counseling, and Sister Mary Beth is also a spiritual director. Sister Kathleen McIntyre ’62 paired a counseling degree with her teaching experience as she tutored and guided academically struggling students at the University of Akron for 25 years. Earlier in her ministry career, Sister Kathleen taught at Magnificat. 

Sister Mary Stanco ’85 was a librarian by profession before joining the HM congregation in 1996, after which time she ministered with the Humility of Mary Housing program and then as the Director of Humility of Mary Volunteer Service. Since 2022, she has served as the executive director for Women of Providence in Collaboration.

After working many years as a nurse, Sister Anne Victory ’62 dedicated herself to the ministry of anti-human trafficking education and training. In recognition of this work, she was honored at the 2024 Sisters’ Anti-Trafficking awards event in Rome with the Servant Leadership Award.  

Sisters in education made important contributions. The late Sister Barbara Bromeier ’59 evaluated student teachers in her ministry with the Cleveland Diocese Office of Education as a field director for the eastern region. In 1995, Sister Annette Solma ’69 and Sister Marie Veres recognized an unmet need for early childhood education in Cleveland’s Slavic Village. With the support of the HM Congregation, these sisters founded Villa Montessori Center and devoted 20 years to this ministry.  

Like Sister Kathleen McIntyre, Sister Mary Pat Cook ’63 and Sister Cheryl Rose ’63 ministered at Magnificat. Magnificat’s first alumna principal, Sister Mary Pat Cook was a dedicated teacher and administrator for 35 years. In Magnificat’s Theology Department, Sister Cheryl Rose laid the groundwork for the Campus Ministry program. Sister Cheryl, along with Sister Jean Tobin Lardie (Sister Toby), started the HM Sisters’ JOY program, a yearlong spiritual growth and formation immersion program for women. 

In healthcare, the late Sister Deann Bartos ’60 served for 31 years as a licensed practical nurse and a physical therapist. The late Sister Susan Klein ’64 dedicated most of her ministry to gerontological nursing. She ultimately earned a PhD and spent six years in Washington, DC, as a senior public health analyst for the US Department of Health and Human Services. After beginning her ministry in nursing, Sister Andriene Ihnot ’61 devoted many years as an administrator at a Louisville, Ohio, nursing home and served on the Youngstown Diocese Finance Council. 

Within the community, Sister Mary Pat Cook and the late Sister Susan Corrigan were elected to past HM Leadership Teams, while Sisters Anne Victory and Annette Solma are current Leadership Team members. Sister Anne’s service will continue for the 2025-2029 term, and Sister Mary Stanco was also recently elected for the upcoming term.  

In education, healthcare, and other ministries, these 14 Magnificat alumnae dedicated their lives to God as they carried the HM and Magnificat Missions and Values into the world. As students, these women were inspired by Magnificat’s HM teaching sisters. Today, their example similarly inspires the Magnificat community to faith-filled lives of joy and humility as we learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. 

MEMORIES FROM THE SISTERS

Sister Mary Beth Marquard ‘62 "I loved my experience at Magnificat. I was privileged to serve on Student Council for four years, which afforded me opportunities to be involved with many school events and to meet upper and lower classmates. The HM Sisters’ spirituality, joy, and dedication to education strongly influenced my career path. Their love of God and their love for us was evident, and for this I am truly grateful." 

Sister Catherine McConnell ’63"My most cherished memories, besides the start of lifelong friendships, revolved around the religion and Spanish classes. Sister Rose Marie Kramer (Sister Gilmary) was an amazing and inspiring religion teacher. I always left her class with my head and heart full. Sister Noella, my Spanish teacher, had us learn the basic prayers in Spanish.  The HM Sisters called us to be strong faith-filled leaders who made a difference in this world."

Sister Kathleen McIntyre ’62 "I sang in the Magnificat Choir sophomore through senior year. Sister Dominica was our choir director. She taught music and humored us with her wit. Of course, Night in Blue ticket sales were significant as our classes tried to beat one another in ticket sales. There was a lot of fun among the homerooms as each tried to be in first place. The seniors always won in the end." 

Sister Cheryl Rose ‘63 "I came to Magnificat as a senior after my father was transferred from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I transferred from a large Catholic co-educational high school. There were many impressive things about Magnificat, particularly the spirit of joy between the sisters and the students. Students hung around after school, talking and working with the nuns. The other things that really impressed me were the levels of academic performance and leadership among Magnificat’s young women."  

Sister Ann Solma ’69 "As seniors, we [accompanied by the sisters] would drive out to Marycrest, a home for troubled girls, to visit, share a meal, and have fun on Sunday afternoon. This had a tremendous influence on my own life of service. The lesson learned was that we are one humanity." 

Sister Mary Stanco ’85 "Sister Helen Jean Novy’s literature classes were my favorite. She really taught me that life is always unfolding and to never stop learning. Sr. Bernadette Vetter taught a class on prayer during my sophomore year. Her exuberance reflected the joy of the HM spirituality. One day she asked me to stay after class to let me know that she thought I had a call to religious life. Talk about planting seeds!" 

Sister Anne Victory ’62 "A highlight at the end of senior year was “sneaking in” to stay overnight in the school! We were sure that we pulled it off without being discovered, but I’m guessing that the administration was well aware. Regardless, we had a lot of fun."