Alumnae Stories

Together while a p a r t

Alumnae Stories

j e s s i ca k l e i n

Class of 2006

Architect Jessica Klein was locked down in London and tells of the support she found in both her local and Marymount community. “As an architect’s firm, moving to working from home was quite simple, yet there were still some bumps! Modern houses are not usually designed to accommodate offices: I haven’t had a desk at home since I graduated. Many of my colleagues not only brought their computers home, but also their desks and chairs! Nevertheless, we are lucky to be in a profession where we can stay at home and stay safe. “This summer, my fiancé and I were due to be married, so that’s been the biggest single impact on my plans for this year. Everything was organised, so fortunately all we have had to do is push it back a year so that our families can all celebrate together. “The most important change to my day-to-day life has been the explosion in community support and communications in my local area. Right at the beginning of lockdown, I put posters around my block advertising my number to start a WhatsApp community group chat. I initially thought no one would join, and that I would be labelled as “the crazy neighbour”. I was pleasantly surprised to see lots of new numbers ping up on my app!

“It’s worked extremely well: for example, someone living in our building is being “shielded” which means she should not leave her house for 12 weeks, not even to go to the bin storage. The group came together and we now pick up her rubbish from her door to bin it. We also use it to trade goods within the block, from tomato plants to herbs people are growing in the garden etc. I am sure that the WhatsApp group will be maintained and it has allowed us to finally get to know our neighbours.

“My parents have also stepped up: they are now in charge of watering the public flowers in Wimbledon Village. “I talk to my Marymount friends all the time; it’s great to know that we are all thinking of one another and checking in.”

g a r i n e h a ro u to u n i a n

Class of 1984

Working on the frontline, Garine Haroutounian (née Keshish), tells of being a community pharmacist at this time.

“Although I started as a hospital pharmacist, I now work in community pharmacies. I chose this profession because I enjoy interacting with people, helping them with health advice, and dispensing the right medication to help them feel better. “The pandemic has changed the way we interact with patients. Screens have been put up and I find it difficult to really listen and talk to everyone. My patients are scared and just want to leave as soon as they get their medication: masks and gloves put everybody on edge.

“I stay motivated because I have a good team. We all are trying to be kind and understanding, especially regarding social distancing. It’s also reassuring to know I’m helping patients during this worrying time. I’m grateful and pleased to be there for the patients.

“After this is over, I’m looking forward to having freedom in the workspace to move and talk to patients without fear. On a personal level, I can’t wait to go on holiday with my family, just to go to dinner and go out without social distancing. I want to hug my friends and extended family when I finally see them! That would be amazing.”

na n c y d u b u s c

Class of 1962

Newton) came to Marymount in 1957, graduating in 1962. Her sister, Jo Ann, was a member of the very first graduating Class of 1958. Nancy reflects on her memories of Marymount, and what she’s been up to in the lockdown. “Here in New Jersey we are locked down, which has given me the chance to tidy my family history! My husband and I are enthusiastic personal historians: we have a lot of items which remind us of our own history. We are fortunate enough to have come from families who were also keen on history, which means we can both trace our families back to the 13th century.”

“A large part of my own personal history comes from my diary, which I began in earnest whilst at Marymount. My mother bought me a diary the summer before I came to Kingston, and on my very first retreat I started filling it in during periods of quiet reflection. Ever since then I have written a daily diary. I am sure it has pushed me to be far braver than I would have been. I often catch myself thinking: ‘if I don’t do this, what will I have to write in my diary tonight?’”

“I continue to keep in touch with Marymount friends, in particular three RSHM Sisters who were critical to my personal development: Mother Frederick, Mother Lillian and Mother Marita. In 1957 I was one of only four Eighth Graders in the whole school, which probably had about fifty girls in total. The Sisters worked incredibly hard to make sure we had the best education we possibly could, whilst often studying themselves at the local university. They felt a great responsibility to ensure our parents felt they had invested wisely in their daughters’ instruction. I have to say I breezed through college – I had learned so much more at school than my fellow undergraduates. The only thing I had to catch up on was American history.” “This time in lockdown has made me more grateful for the memories and friends I made at Marymount. Although we have seen cases of this awful virus close to us, my family have come through it and we are now, thankfully, well again.”

ta m e n ja da d g a r c i a

Class of 2012 Nancy duBusc (née

Tamen Jadad Garcia (Class of 2012) is an author, and Chief Innovation Officer at Beati Inc. a Canadian firm focused on “enabling organizations to achieve what seems impossible”. She and her husband live in Los Angeles, and she found herself in Toronto with her parents when lockdown was called.

“We are so lucky: we were visiting my parents for the weekend. Suddenly, three days quickly became much longer! Now we are in one house, the four of us, working together on various projects.”

During the lockdown, she has been writing a new book and publishing articles, one of which explores the role of enough in our lives. When asked about it, she said, “As humans, we have a growth obsession. This is fed by one of our deepest flaws: our insatiability. What if we gave ourselves permission to pause and consider a radically different option to judge whether we have ‘made it’? What if, instead of striving for more, we focused on what would be 'enough'?”

“I hope that in the years and decades to come, this pause in ‘normal’ life will allow world leaders, and us, some time to reflect on how we may truly measure success,” she adds.

“In terms of what is keeping me busy, my work drives me and inspires me to solve problems creatively and innovatively. My motto is ‘to live well in our own way, together, no matter what’. During the pandemic, I am working with my father and members of our global network of collaborators on multiple projects including the development of tools to enable businesses to protect their talented people, working from home, from mental illness. We are also raising funds with Spotify to support musicians, and helping to coordinate the response of governments and corporations to the emerging clinical, social and financial post-COVID-19 challenges. I am also exchanging insights with other Marymount alumnae who are also helping on a national and international level to coordinate PPE supplies.

“Keeping in touch with my Marymount sisters is always a source of strength and joy, that brings back great memories of school.

“Marymount and all my life so far have shown me how fortunate I am to be surrounded by supportive friends and family. This period of lockdown has, for me, enhanced a deep sense of gratitude.”

“What if we gave ourselves permission to pause and consider a radically different option to judge whether we have ‘made it’? What if, instead of striving for more, we focused on what would be enough?”