A Letter from the Mercy Alumnae Association

Dear Fellow Alumnae, Future Alumnae, Parents, and Friends,

CONGRATULATIONS to the Class of 2021 on their achievements and WELCOME to the Mercy Alumnae Association as our newest members.

Unprecedented is perhaps the word that best signifies what you’ve experienced the past two years. You learned and grew during a time which was a little crazy and a little tough, but you gained more fortitude to navigate the many adventures to come.

As Amy Poehler said at Harvard University in 2011, “What I have discovered is this: You can't do it alone… Make sure you play with people who have your back…”. We, the Mercy Alumnae Association, hope you have fostered relationships with others, be it classmates, faculty, staff, or alumnae during your four years within and outside the Mercy halls, who have your best interest at heart, can last a lifetime, and bring you back to Mercy time and again.

Best wishes as you follow your dreams. We look forward to hearing of your achievements and sharing our common legacy.

To all Mercy Alumnae

During this past year we all became familiar with Zoom to stay connected with family and friends (as well as colleagues.) The Mercy Alumnae Association was no different. • Bi-monthly meetings on the 1st Wednesday of even months were held allowing us to continue reconnecting with alumnae— with some joining from as far away as Oregon and Washington, D.C.; • A visit with Santa for children and grandchildren of alumnae, a cherished event from the past, was resurrected on December 5, 2020; and • A Lecture Series showcasing alumnae and their area of expertise was established, typically held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.

Invitations to all events are sent to alumnae, students, parents, family, and friends through Constant Contact emails from our Alumnae Office, and the events are advertised on the Mercy website and Facebook page. We invite you to join our events, which are free, by registering online so the Zoom link can be sent to you on the day of the event.

Thank you to Chris Bender Webster ’68 Gallery 53 Building Community (at right, first image), Jeanne Messick ’71 Power of Attorney (at right, second image), Pamela Davis Steele ’72 Creative Uses of Pom Poms and How to Make Them! (at right, third image), Siobhan Wisneski McLaughlin ’96 How’s the Market in CT and What Savvy Home Sellers Should Know to Get Top Dollar (at right, fourth image), and Gemma Gargiulo Mathewson ’69 The Museum of Rain (at right, fifth image) for sharing themselves through this lecture series.

Upcoming sessions include: • The Best Way to Slow Global Warming? You Decide in This Climate Simulator with Margaret Bishop Haight ’67 • Eldercare by Linda Griffin Worden ’71 • Financial Wellness by Jenilee Wirtz ’06.

Other alumnae and topics are in the planning stages. If you would like to discuss an opportunity to showcase your business, talent, and knowledge, please contact Anne D’Orvilliers at adorvilliers@mercyhigh.com.

Don't miss important class reunion information on page 34!

Lecture Series Highlights

Yours In Mercy, Kerrianne Fortier ’05 Liz Malczon ’90 Ellen Ryczek ’74 Anne D’Orvilliers ’71

President Vice President Treasurer Secretary