CLASS NOTES

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1958

Clare Hardy Mullin ’58 is so thankful that her mother sent her to Mercy, because she has such good memories. She has lived with a seizure disorder since age 10, and the privacy and prayers were perfect for her. Claire says, “Being Catholic was a blessing because my prayers and faith were my strength. My greatest gifts are my mother and daughter, Catholic crucifix, rosary, piano, ballet toe shoes, home, sun, and rain. Thank you God!” She enjoyed 15 years of hosting Airbnb guests from around the world, and has supported herself with a San Mateo rental property. She plans to pass it on to her creative daughter Elizabeth, who studied costume, fashion design, and modeling. Due to TBI at age 50, Claire learned to speak again with help of Toastmasters. She got involved in writing and TV for 15 years, and created a show called the “Colorful Journey of Success” that can be seen online (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM7m6FUnwoI). She had the pleasure of interviewing so many interesting people. With regards to the pandemic, Claire says, “We live our lives in so many ways either by choice or force. The pandemic closed so many down. Designing Color Wheeling for daily planning helped me recover so I plan to write a book to help others organize life.”

1961

Greetings from Malava, Kenya! After nine years teaching in Solidarity Teacher Training College in Malakal and Yambio, South Sudan, Carolyn Buhs ’61 was able to return to Kenya to join her Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in their Notre Dame Educational Center in Malava, in Western Kenya, somewhat near Mount Elgon on the Kenya-Uganda border. Carolyn is very much enjoying organizing the Primary School Library and encouraging the elementary age children to borrow and read library books in English and Swahili. God is so very good!

1963

Sandy Thiemann Lamson ’63 finds it hard to believe that she has been out of school that long. She has been married to Paul (Flip) for over 55 years! Mercy taught her to be a true giver, and over the years, she has presided over many charity events always doing whatever job needed to be done. She has been taking care of her four grandchildren for the past 24 years. Her last one is now in 6th grade! Her daughters Kacy and Erica are both teachers, and her son Luke has his own advertising business. They are all doing great, and she is so proud of them all!

In 2022 Maureen Marconi ’63 and husband Alan Roth made up for the two years of not being able to travel—Transatlantic and Mediterranean cruises in March/April, May trip to the Big Island, July land tour of Scotland, New York, Montreal, and New England cruises in September. They ended the year with WOW moments in Easter Island, Patagonia, Jouazu Falls, and Antartica. Whew! Plus trips to Virginia to see the grandkids and Chico for a nephew’s wedding. She hopes 2023 brings all of us love, health, happiness, and peace PIctured left, Alan and Maureen on South Shetland Island in Antartica

1965

Patricia Flanagan ’65 enjoyed a visit to the deYoung Museum in San Francisco to see Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs. Pictured above, the following members of the class of 1962 also enjoyed the day: Edy Howell Ternullo, Toni Galli Coughlin, Pat Flanagan and Joan Hammes.

Carol Henry Prata ’65 wanted to let her Mercy family know that her beloved husband, Joe Prata passed away this past November. Joe was also the sister-in-law to Marie Henry ’66.

1966

Helen O’Brien Albano ’66 received her twenty year pin in 2022 for her volunteer work with the California State Parks. She volunteers at two state parks in Nevada County, Empire Mine and South Yuba River, demonstrating gold panning, patrolling the many trails, and working at special events. She has been blessed with three children (Dominic Jr, Aaron, and Sarah), one foster son in Uganda (Joseph, who is in the seminary), twelve grandchildren, and a 55 year marriage to Dominic Albano whom she met while attending Mercy. She retired from the Pleasant Valley School Dist. in 2008, but she has continued to work with the state parks and for her Catholic Church. Pictured left Helen O’Brien Albano, volunteering at the South Yuba River State Park.

Cheryl Kistner Romig ’66 reports that she has retired to Beaufort, South Carolina after a successful 20 year career in real estate in Laguna Beach, California. “Mercy holds a very special place in my heart!”

Marie Henry ’66 can be seen on YouTube reading three of her poems (and playing a little blues harmonica) in a group reading that took place last summer on ZOOM. You can find it by doing a YouTube search for: Episode 3, 2022 Marin Poetry Center Traveling Show. Marie is the 3rd of 6 poets to read. Her segment runs 11 minutes, starting around minute 23 to 34. Her entertaining set list includes “Mouth Harp Man” (with blues harmonica accompaniment), “The Air Thick with Everything,” and “Café Jack”.

1968

In May 2022, Victoria De Martini ‘68 and her daughter, Adrienne, rambled along the northern England Coastto-Coast trail with Sierra Club. Wind & driving rain were bravely faced, slippery rocks & muddy trails were traversed, and the quest to hike up & over the Pennines was a success. Along the way, stone buildings were explored and hundreds of cavorting sheep were witnessed. If you’re looking for a rural adventure, this might be the trip for you! Advice from the locals: don’t take a shortcut across a bog.

1969

1969 alums Susan Ryan Maloney, Janice Bazzani, and Marilyn Cullen Quinlan met recently in New York City to enjoy theater, food, and fun together, celebrating over 50 years of friendship and memories. It all began at Mercy High School! Above, Susan Janice and Marilyn enjoying the town!

1972

Cheryl Landucci McFall, ‘72 and some of her classmates get together regularly to celebrate each other’s birthdays. This gathering on October 21 included - Above L-R: Kathy Daly Fericano (St. Roberts & Mercy HS), Rose Maher (All Souls & two years at Mercy HS), Donna Bachle (All Souls alumnae), Kathy O’Leary (All Souls and Mercy HS), Cheryl (All Souls & Mercy HS), the chef for the evening at her San Francisco home, Annette Liberty (St. Roberts and Mercy HS), and Kathy Maher Felice (All Souls & one year at Mercy HS). Some of their friendships go back to kindergarten. They also enjoyed their 50 year Mercy HS Reunion in September. “It was amazing to be back at the Mansion with all the wonderful memories it holds for us. We are eternally grateful for our time at Mercy High School. A big thank you to our parents and faculty for this amazing experience. The night before our 50th high school reunion, some of us gathered together. This is the picture at our pre-party/ dinner at the Fish Market the night before the reunion.”

Pictured L-R are Annette Liberty, Kathy O’Leary, Chris Valencia, Cheryl Landucci, Mimi Kelleher, Judy Turner, Sue Landucci, Back row: Joan Monahan, Kathy Houle, Rose Maher, Debbie Zocchi, center as always Kathy Daly and behind Lorry Estelita. The class would also like to hold in remembrance the anniversary of the loss of two of our 1972 classmates in Jonestown, 11-18-78. There is a memorial celebration every year on that date at Evergreen Cemetery in Oakland. Terry Carter and Mary Lou Meyer. RIP.

Pictured above, At a December groundbreaking event for a 101 pedestrian overpass in East Palo Alto which was followed by a reception honoring retiring Rep. Jackie Speier ’68. Jackie and interim City Attorney Valerie Armento ’69, had the opportunity to discuss challenges facing San Mateo County. As one of her last congressional achievements, Jackie secured $1.5 million for a new public library in East Palo Alto.

Since graduation, Janine Mignault Greenwald ‘74, reported that the ‘Squad’ who has shared life through the years, was finally able to connect again after COVID. First a fabulous potluck dinner gathering at the home of Ann Armento Dunn in April and the second a Holiday lunch, the Garden Club, So. S.F. 48 years of Love and Life. “We are blessed.” Above, L-R, Marie Vaillancourt Nielsen, Janine

Rodriguez,

Rita Raffo Arnold ‘75 reported that Class of 1975’s Patty Habeeb, Laurie Carney, Darren O’Malley, Joan Battaini, Rita Raffo, Joan Columbini, and Clare Pool, pictured below, met for dinner in North Beach to celebrate being 65 (65 is the new 40!).

Eileen Muldown Gendron ‘75 has been retired for 6 years from a 30+ year international aerospace career. She and her husband, Gerard, have two sons: Wil, who recently earned his Ph.D. in Virology and Gene Therapy from the Mayo Clinic and married Katherine Wikholm, MD, this past April, and Collin, an accountant working locally in the Los Angeles area. Eileen continues to enjoy long-time Mercy friendships. Above left, Gerard, Katherine, Wil, Eileen and Collin.

1978

Moira Cue Friedland ‘78 will celebrate 32 years of marriage in March 2023. She currently resides in Redding CA where she has owned and operated California Center for Therapeutic Massage since 2015. She enjoys walks with her husband and her 2-yearold Labrador “Lily”. Her daughter is Juliette Friedland who graduated from Arizona State University Barrett’s honor college with a Masters Degree in Healthcare Systems.

Katherine Lacunza Pompili ‘78 reported that June was a whirlwind for her family! Their first grandson, Jeffrey Bernardo Pompili, was born on June 2 to their oldest, Stephen, and his wife, Jordan. She shares, “he is the joy of their lives and grandparenthood is everything and more!” Two days later they left for Los Alamos, CA to begin the wedding festivities of their second son, Edward, who married his bride, Chelsea, in an intimate, family- only ceremony of 17 people on June 6th, but first celebrated the 30th birthday there of their third son, Joseph, on June 4th. Francesca ‘12, has been very busy with Festa.com after expanding her products to include wedding paper and invitations. “We are very blessed!” Pictured above: Edward and Chelsea, Los Alamos.

1984

After being a stay at home Mom to twins Eva and Vivian for 14 years, Kimberly Fisher ’84 is happy to report that she is back to work as an Apparel Demand Planner at Ariat—a lifestyle apparel and footwear company located in the Bay Area.

1985

Alison Genie Sevilla Pineda ‘85 reported that their 35th Class Reunion was virtual on Zoom so it was great having a mini-reunion in person at Angelica’s Restaurant in Redwood City, California. Caption: Lunch at Angelica’s Restaurant with Mercy sisters. Pictured above L-R: Beth Pipinich Champe, Nicole Briggs Sandkulla, Renee Barbanica, Laurie Hudleson, Donna Peruzzaro, Daniela Hole, Alison Genie Pineda, and Trish Yanke Entsminger

1986

Maria Massenkpff Hoppe ‘86 and her husband, Eric, have returned to the Bay Area! Now living in Mill Valley, Maria is the Executive Director of the Sweetwater Music Hall. Eric has just retired from the Cal State University system. Their son Andrew (age 27) recently completed his MPhil in History at Cambridge in the UK, while their daughter, Katherine (age 24) graduated from Barnard in 2020 amidst COVID and is now living and working in the music industry in NYC.

1997

You usually find Bernadette Desuasido Portugal ’97 behind the camera. This year her husband Fernando and two kids Ilanis (9) & Matias (8) are working models as a family. They’ve worked on a number of campaigns - one most memorable is a national

2000

Mercy Alums, Chariss Ilarine ‘00, Rhea Palaad ‘00 and Sharisse Bernardo ‘00 were invited to the wedding of Mercy English Teacher and Department Chair Alex Hyman. Alex married Riordan Alum and English Teacher Kevin Estrada ‘00 this past July in Kentucky.

2008

Danielle Ciappara Pistorino ‘08 got promoted to Vice President of Paid Media Planning & Buying at global PR firm Weber Shandwick in April of 2022. Danielle also married Nicholas Pistorino in October of 2021. The wedding took place in Cape Cod, MA, a special place for the couple where they now own a summer home. Her wedding was beautiful and perfect, but the biggest surprise of the night was when her father dressed up as The Beast from Beauty & The Beast for the father-daughter dance to the title song of the movie. Everyone loved this touching and hilarious moment, especially the bride!

2010

Cathleen “Cat” Bottini Adamis ‘10 reported that “she married her best friend (and Serra alum) on November 4, 2021 and they welcomed their first baby in January 2023. Cat has returned home to the Tri-School family and is currently the Marketing and Communications Manager for Notre Dame High School. At left: Cat and husband Zach on their wedding day in Tahoe