A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words in Praise of and Gratitude for Sister Mary McCarthy Sr. Mary McCarthy, RSM announced her retirement at the end of 2019, just months ahead of the pandemic. After scheduling and repeatedly rescheduling her retirement dinner due to COVID-19, the necessity of continuing safety protocols led us to go forward with a joyful but relatively small reception in June 2021. In a charming gathering of reflection, current and past board of trustees, faculty and members of Sr. Mary’s family were in attendance for the formal presentation of her portrait. Jen Casey Romer ’08 created a spectacular oil portrait of Sr. Mary that will have a prominent place in our auditorium gallery, in enduring appreciation for Sr. Mary’s extraordinary forty-five years of dedication and service. The next time you join us at Mercy, please be certain to take a look. It’s not to be missed!
Jen Casey Romer ’08
Founder, Ugly Mother, Creative Marketing Agency; Brooklyn, New York Designing a Meaningful Future
“For me, this last year was a lesson in managing stress, practicing resourcefulness and a sense of strategy that sometimes felt very much tied to our survival,” explains Jen Casey Romer. “It also provided us with a very keen understanding of what and who were important, and what was not. Our lives grew smaller and more restricted, but we learned to live more intentionally. I called my parents every morning and night to ask how they were and remind them how much I loved them (still do).”
“Sister Mary is beloved to the Mercy community, and her important work has shaped the lives of so many. I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to help honor her, and to have contributed in some small way to the celebration of her legacy.” —Jen Casey Romer ’08
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WOMEN OF MERCY Living Catherine’s Vision
Jen Casey Romer and Mercy High School have a shared history. Alumnae in her family include her mother, Nancy Keithan Casey ’78, as well as aunts Susan Keithan Peak ’67, Rosemary Keithan Launay ’73 and Sarah Casey Dell ’88. Jen remembers Mercy as a safe environment where she was “not rushed to grow up, but allowed to glow!” Helen Mooz, Jen’s art teacher, had a significant influence—her shining light.
