Class Notes

1967 Theresa Broderick Johnson ‘67 passed away on Sept. 15, 2020. She was with her husband Pat, and is survived by her four children, four grandchildren, and three of her six siblings. She will be greatly missed by her family. Terri lived a full and amazing life, with a heart full of love and compassion. She treasured her memories of her time at Mercy. 1970 After graduation, Donna Thompson Antosiak ‘70 went to Europe with the Foreign Study League that was chaperoned by nuns. Vicky Patt talked her into going on this 6-week adventure through Europe. She said, “We will be sleeping in castles and everything.” At 17, she thought sleeping in castles was “way cool.” Turns out they never slept in any castles–mainly dorms and convents instead. She finally did get to sleep in castles during her honeymoon 20 years later. Donna does NOT recommend staying in castles in Europe in April–way too cold! Donna graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Environment Planning. After working a few years with “at risk teens,” she decided to go back to get a Master’s degree in Community Counseling. This led her to a 35-year career in Human Resources in Silicon Valley high-tech. There she met her husband Randy, a high tech engineer. They were married on April Fool’s Day in 1989. They have two children, Matt and Kaycee, who live in the Bay Area. Together they have travelled the world: Chile, Cuba, India, Korea, Japan, Machu Picchu, Peru, Galapagos islands, Jordan, Israel, and all over Western and Eastern Europe. Donna retired recently and has started playing pickleball, plans to volunteer as soon as the SIP lifts, and is still skiing at Squaw. She looks forward to the next chapter! Pictured above: Cleopatra and Robin at their island home in Ambergris Caye, Belize Robin Leach Bosche ‘70 reports, “All is good here!” She tries to always remember to count blessings instead of dwelling on the recent craziness. Robin, her husband Rodney, and their dog, cat, and horse live on a small ranch in Novato, CA. They enjoy their wonderful two daughters and their spouses, grandkids, and now a great grandson! Robin and Rodney travel as much as possible–exploring, scuba diving, meeting new people, and experiencing new adventures. They spend winters on a tiny island in Belize, where they have a house right on the water, and enjoy a slower and more simple lifestyle. Grateful for much...

1976 Life is good for Nickoletta “Letty” Farros ‘76 and her husband David, and their daughter Katherine in Los Gatos! Katherine graduated from Bucknell University in May 2020, and is currently back home. Letty and David are happy to have this extra time with her. Letty is still working at a small education company. And luckily, the role has been remote since 2011. Letty and David were planning some travel for later this year, but those plans have been moved out to hopefully 2021. Wishing everyone a safe and happy rest of the year! Pictured above Mother’s Day 2020.

1984 After 91 years, three children and five grandchildren, Keith Coppock, father of Karen Coppock ‘84 and Megan Coppock

Gosch ‘87 passed away peacefully in the presence of his family. 1985 Carrie Akin Parham ‘85 and two of her classmates recently met for brunch to catch up and enjoy each other’s company! Pictured above: Spending time together over brunch were (L to R) Tina Degan-Henslee ‘85, Heather Davies’85, and Carrie Akin Parham ‘85.

1986 Rowena de la Rosa ‘86 is super proud of her daughter Sachi, who will continue her mom’s legacy with her acceptance to UC Berkeley’s Fall 2020 cohort.

1988 Kim Garrett Paulus ’88 Kim’s husband Dan was ordained a Catholic Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Stockton on September 19, 2020. The process of formation took 6 years. As his spouse, Kim was required to attend all classes and practicums. Deacon Dan and Kim are parishioners at St. Mary of the Annunciation in Oakdale, CA, and Dan was assigned as deacon to that parish by Bishop Cotta. They also run the RCIA & Adult Faith Formation program at St. Mary’s that welcomes new people to the Catholic faith. Pictured above: Deacon Dan and Kim Paulus with their sons Garrett, Grayson & Griffin on ordination day.

Mercy Sister in Need...

Eileen McMahon ’92 is in need of a kidney transplant. We are asking that Mercy girls share this far and wide! Eileen would appreciate your help. To learn more about Eileen visit her page at https://www. caringbridge.org/visit/ or you can email her at Eileen.mcmahon@comcast.net. For more information on kidney transplants visit https://www.ucsfhealth. org/clinics/connie-frank-transplant-center-at-ucsf. 1993 In 2018, Christine Richwalski Olinger ‘93 earned her Master’s of Science Degree in Education Administration from Emporia State University. This is her second year as the Special Programs Academic Administrator at Insight School of Kansas and Kansas Virtual Academy. Christine and her fiancée Bryan Rusch have four teenagers–two in college and two in high school.

1997 Writer, executive producer, and actor Desirée Matthews ‘97 launched her award-winning short narrative film, The Great Unknown, for online streaming. Starring Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis and created by an all-female crew and team of producers, The Great Unknown shares the untold story of miscarriage through the feminine life cycle of birth, death, transformation, and rebirth. “I am so excited to finally share this deeply personal film with the world,” said Desiree. “The experience of miscarriage is an ancient, sacred bond that so many of us share, but too often it is endured alone in the shadows. It is my hope the film will bring this intimate loss into the light-offering compassion, comfort, and visibility. Once we start sharing our stories we find that we are not alone in our grief, and the act of being witnessed, being seen is transformative.” Visit www.thegreatunknownfilm.com to view. Pictured above: Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis & Desirée Matthews (‘97) star in The Great Unknown.

2005 Annamarie Sucher ‘05, married her husband, Paul Jones, on April 17, 2020 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. People thought they wouldn’t be able to get married because of the pandemic, but the county clerk in Orange County gave them the opportunity to

obtain a license and hold a ceremony at a temporary set-up in the parking lot outside of the Honda Center in Anaheim. They were only allowed one witness, and Annamarie chose her longtime friend and fellow Mercy girl Aga-Marie Wehrly Alvarez ‘05. Their story received news coverage from Fox 11 and the Los Angeles Times. They live-streamed the wedding on Twitch and created personalized Bride and Groom facemasks, which were required during the ceremony! Afterwards, they went back to Chapman University’s campus and took photos, just the two of them, because that is where their relationship started and where Paul proposed.

2008 Elizabeth “Liz’ Becker ‘08 has spent the past four years living in Indianapolis, IN working on behalf of the 26 sororities that are members of the National Panhellenic Conference. This past fall, Liz moved to Chicago to begin her law studies at Loyola University Chicago. Her passion is educational policy. While the pandemic is keeping her away from California, she looks forward to returning to visit her family and the Kohl Mansion grounds one day soon.

Danielle Ciappara ‘08 is engaged to her longtime boyfriend Nick Pistorino, who popped the question on the beach (quarantine style) during their yearly vacation at Cape Cod this past August. After the proposal, they enjoyed a surprise miniengagement party thrown by the future groom’s parents. Danielle & Nick are planning to get married in Cape Cod in the Fall of 2021.

Jamie Hazelton Ferré ‘08 married Gustave Ferré on October 19, 2019 at Tsasdi Resort on Lake Shasta surrounded by family and friends. Ten years prior, a sign hanging on the wall in Chico State ballroom dance classroom read, “Ballroom Dance: Changing Lives Forever.” Upon entering her first beginning ballroom dance class, Jamie remembers thinking to herself, “Ha! We’ll see about that.” Gus asked Jamie to dance the Lindy Hop one evening. And shortly after, they attended the semiannual formal community dance event “Ballroom Dance Night,” and the rest is history. A decade later, Jamie is a graphic designer for a national garden supply company and Gus is a mechanical engineer. They now live in Grass Valley and still dance together. 2010 Eileen Kannengeiser ‘10 graduated from the Elliott School of International Studies and received her Master’s degree from George Washington University in May 2020. She is living and working in Washington. Eileen and her fiancée Alex Dorcy are scheduled to be married in June 2021 with a reception at Kohl Mansion.

2015 Madeline Gaumer ‘15 reported that her ship date for Officer Candidates School was moved. She will ship in early January 2021 and will graduate mid-March. Best of luck, Madeline!

In Memoriam

PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING ALUMNAE IN your prayers. As of this publication, we have noted the “In Memoriams” received between May 31, 2020 to November 4, 2020. Those received after that date will appear in our Summer 2021 Oaks.

Jeanette Lazare Brown ‘61 Penny Ferguson Circle ‘58 Theresa Broderick Johnson ‘67 Rose Kennedy ‘60 Alice Larsen ‘59 Sister Barbara Moran, RSM ‘49 Joanne Whelan Thurau ‘73 Donna Sciandri Widrin ‘63

At each of our school liturgies we pray for all these people who have been acknowledged in the Mercy Mass Program. Donations are made in memory of a loved one and to honor others for anniversaries, birthdays, or at times of illness. To enroll a loved one in the Mercy Mass Program, simply contact the Mercy Advancement Office at 650.762.1190 or visit our website at www.mercyhsb.com/giving.