Report on Giving 2020-2021

An Independent Catholic College Preparatory School for Girls Grades 9-12

“Let us be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”

— Catherine McAuley, Foundress

Honoring Our Shining Lamps A TRIBUTE TO OUR MERCY EDUCATORS

REPORT ON GIVING 2020-2021

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INTRODUCTION

We are pleased to share the electronic version of the 2020-2021 Merion Mercy Academy Report on Giving with you. This publication tells the stories of the many successes and moments that made the past school year such a vibrant one, despite the many challenges we faced as a community and country.

The Report on Giving celebrates the connection between your generosity and the ability of Merion Mercy Academy to provide life-changing opportunities to this generation of MMA students and to those who teach them, nurture them, and mentor them. On behalf of the MMA Development Office, thank you for your generosity during the July 1, 2020June 30, 2021 school year, and very best wishes from us as we enter into this new academic year!

Table of Contents Letter from the Head of School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Letter from the Board Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Fundraising by the Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Parents Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Sip ’n Bid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 MMA Girls Run the World 5K Any Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Shining Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Giving Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Giving Societies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-17 Matching Gift Companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 COVER: Ms. Nicole Duffy, Language Teacher, one of our many Shining Lamps, shows her gratitude for Teacher Appreciation Day.

EITC and OSTC Donors and Scholarship Recipients . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Endowed Scholarships, Scholarship, and Financial Aid Funds . .20-22 Planned Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-25 In Honorarium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25-26

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Indonesia Talley ’21 and Laura Farrell take a selfie to celebrate graduation on June 5, 2021

“Let us be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”

— Catherine McAuley, Foundress

To the Merion Mercy Community, As I begin my third year as Head of School, I am more thankful than ever for the Mercy spirit that guides and inspires me every day in countless ways. This shining lamp of Mercy is fueled by our extraordinary Merion Mercy Community.

Our Mercy educators kept that light burning brightly throughout the last school year with remarkable commitment, creativity, caring, and forbearance. Teachers and students learned new ways of communicating and collaborating as we moved between different learning environments. Flexibility, patience, grace, and kindness were in abundance as students navigated school in a different context.

Such lessons were learned well by the Class of 2021, whose commencement was held on a beautiful Saturday morning in May. While every graduating class at Merion holds their community of sisters dear, the Class of 2021 learned that their unity and community should never be taken for granted. Few classes have experienced more profoundly how much the Mercy core values–compassion, service, collaboration, and responsibility–are intrinsic to their collective reality.

I offer our profound gratitude to each and every person who supported Merion Mercy Academy during “a year that was like no other.” Every gift to the MMAnnual Fund, contribution to a scholarship fund, tax credit donation, and Sip ’n Bid donation, no matter how large or small, helped us better serve the needs of our students and provide them with the outstanding education that characterizes the Merion experience.

This was certainly a year full of incredible challenges. But because of you, we were able to meet—and overcome— each and every hurdle with resilience and grace. In short, we could not have done this without you. I deeply thank you for all you have done for Merion Mercy Academy.

In Mercy,

Laura Farrell Head of School 1

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Dear Merion Mercy Community,

LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

2020-2021 Board of Trustees Mr. Mark Bullock, Secretary Mrs. Elsie Goss Caldwell, P’96 Mr. Robert Dunne, P’07, ’12 Mrs. Laura Farrell, Head of School Mrs. Lisa Nicolella Farrell ’78, P’13 Mrs. Megan Grady, P’19, ’20 Mrs. Diane Johnson DiCicco ’97 Sister Christine McCann, RSM Mrs. Catharine McGeever, P’16 Sister Ann O’Connell, RSM ’62

I am grateful for the efforts of our entire Merion Mercy Community. We worked together to stay true to the mission of our school during these turbulent times. You have all honored our Shining Lamp of Mercy through your grace, resilience, and generosity.

Our donors remained loyal despite the economic uncertainty as we saw growth in total giving this past year. This support came from faculty, staff, alumnae, families, friends, corporations, and foundations. On behalf of the entire MMA community, I thank all of our donors for your generosity to our school and our students, as well as for your steadfast commitment to our Mercy mission.

I am grateful to the entire Merion Mercy faculty, staff, and senior administrative team who, under the direction of Head of School, Laura Farrell, put the welfare of our students first while providing a robust school life and staying true to our mission. Our faculty continued to inspire me through their commitment to our students and their ability to instruct despite many hurdles during the past year.

Mr. William O’Shea, P’06, ’13 Chair Mr. Dennis Riley, P’20 Dr. Laura Stubbs ’75 Mrs. Chrissy Wechsler Rayer ’95 Mrs. Ellen Byrnes Willcox ’80, P’12 Vice Chair Dr. Michelle Williams ’96

At this past year’s Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation, I reflected on our wonderful graduating students and our entire student body. I marveled at their resilience, their sacrifices during the pandemic, and how they demonstrated Mercy at every turn. They bring life to our mission and energize our entire community.

I am pleased to welcome three new trustees to MMA’s board beginning July 1, 2021, Sister MaryBeth Beretta, RSM, Beth Howley Krieger ’76, and Megan Knott, P’21. They join 16 other highly committed trustees who provide faithful oversight of Merion Mercy’s mission and strategic direction. Thanks to each of them for giving their time, talent, and treasure in support of MMA. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you to the entire Merion Mercy community for your support, commitment, and prayers during this past year. I look forward to continuing to work together to guide Merion Mercy Academy.

In gratitude

Bill O’Shea Chair, Board of Trustees P’06, ’13

P=Parent

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Revenue for Merion Mercy Academy is largely based on tuition. And while tuition is vital, we are deeply committed to remaining accessible and affordable to students from diverse economic backgrounds who are in need of funding. More than 65% of our students receive some sort of financial assistance. Just over $2 million in scholarships, both merit and need-based, were awarded during the 2020-2021 academic year. Providing this level of support helps MMA to create a dynamic student body, which further strengthens the MMA experience.

FUNDRAISING BY THE NUMBERS

566 DONORS GAVE

$1,300,000 EITC/OSTC

100% MMA STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF BENEFIT FROM THE MMANNUAL FUND

TAX CREDITS

$253,330

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FOUNDATIONS AND GRANTS

$500,000 MMA PRESENTS

V I RT UA L

Sip ’n Bid

NEW DONORS

HonorYourShiningLamp GIVING DAY: May 6, 2021

Begins With

Thank you for participating in our Giving Day to honor the continuing legacy of Mercy educators at MMA. We received $40,000 from 137 donors who stepped up and honored 137 years of Mercy education at Merion!

October 25 to Nov 1, 2021 More than 400 alumnae, students, parents, faculty and staff participated in MMA’s first-ever 5K Any Way in support of student programming and the "Mercy Girl Effect" project through the Sisters of Mercy International. Participants ran a total of 1,870 miles and raised more than $13,000.

GI INGTUESDAY

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2021

This virtual event honored retired teachers Barbara Clarke, Anne Foley, Noreen Kromm, and Karen McClennen and drew bidders from across the country.

$163,000

March 11, 2021

DECEMBER 1, 2020

The Merion Community shared in the global generosity movement on December 1, 2020, #GivingTuesday. We sought to honor our dedicated faculty and our incredibly resilient students and show all the ways that Merion has reimagined the school day, lunches, music, athletics, and co-curricular activities. 150 donors contributed a

total of $45,000.

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More than 200 parents, alumnae and friends played virtual Bingo to win any of an assortment of fabulous designer bags and other goodies, produced and directed by our Parents Association, raising

more than $12,000.

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Parents demonstrate the iconic hula hoop as a tool for the students to ensure safe, six-foot social distancing.

MMA PARENTS ASSOCIATION THANK YOU!

We are grateful to the 2020-2021 Parents Association and all the members who actively support our mission at Merion Mercy Academy each and every day. This group of committed parents synergizes the gifts of time, talent, and service that are so abundant at MMA. Even in this very unusual year, the MMA Parents Association provided events, fundraisers, activities, and all manners of support to expand the opportunities that define the MMA experience. We are profoundly grateful to all of our parents who give so selflessly to our School.

2020-2021 Parents Association Executive Board Patty Schwab President

Maggie Grimes Vice President

Nicole Perretta Elguicze ’91 Communications Officer

Marie Pat Romano Past President

Catherine Braun Kathy Del Pizzo Monique Keene Hank Schwab Theresa Tensuan-Eli Sara Becker Tara Keohone Scherf ’94 Mika Walton Stella Denn Irving Drake Susan McCabe Melanie O’Hara

Patrick Devine and Sydney Devine ’22, participate in a service project for fathers/father figures and daughters by making baby blankets.

Parents volunteers decorate the Front Hallway, adding customary Christmas cheer and keeping spirits high during the pandemic.

Students show their gratitude to Philip Vinogradov, Director of Innovation, Teaching, and Learning, during Teacher Appreciation Week, organized by the Parents Association.

2020-2021 PARENTS ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE CHAIRS Thank you to all those parents who volunteered their time to MMA during this academic year.

Your acts of generosity are what make us thrive as a community.

Mother’s Cupboard/Food Pantry

Tara Scherf

Parents4Parents Outreach

Theresa Tensuan-Eli

5K Run

Kathy Del Pizzo and Stella Denn

Designer Bag Bingo

Kathy Del Pizzo

Senior Ornaments

Patty Schwab, Maggie Grimes, Nicole Elguicze, and Marie Pat Romano

Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day

Patty Schwab, Maggie Grimes, Nicole Elguicze, and Marie Pat Romano

Father-Father Figure/Daughter Service Project

Patty and Hank Schwab, Maggie Grimes

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2021 ANNUAL SIP ’n BID

Barbara Clarke

Anne Foley

Noreen Kromm

Karen McClennen

We extend special thanks to our sponsors, who helped fund our auction and ensured the success of this event. We love our Love Begins with Mercy sponsors!

Constitution Center ($2,500 to $4,999) Goshen Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Merion Mercy hosted the 44th Sip ’n Bid, Love Begins with Mercy, as a virtual auction on February 6, 2021, honoring retired faculty Barbara Clarke, Anne Foley, Noreen Kromm, and Karen McClennen for dedication to the school culminating in more than 140 years of service. Our audience included participants and donors from across the country and around the world.

Liberty Bell ($1,000 to $2,499) Aramark, Gail and Kevin Connor, P’11, Kristen Galli Krauss ’86, LaSalle University, Licata & Tyrrell P.C., Joseph and Mary Beth McMahon, P’22 Boathouse Row ($500 to $999) Mark and Ginny Bullock, Gradgear, KDI Office Technology, McCloskey Financial Group, Neumann University, O’Connell & Company LLC, Clarke and Marilyn O’Donoghue, P’08, Dennis and Kathleen Riley, Saint Joseph’s University Betsy Ross House ($250 to $499) Affairs To Be Remembered, Balfour, Brandywine Branch Distillers, LLC, Elsie Goss Caldwell, P’96, Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, Michael J. Gorman Painting/General Contracting, Hendron House, Fred and Karen Keller, P’20, Lambert Associates, Marchese Opticians & Sunglass Boutique, Padden Cooper LLC, Donald and Bonnie Wynne We also offer special thanks and recognition to Rebecca Rimmer Antczak ’90 for her talent and dedication to making our virtual auction a success.

MMA GIRLS RUN THE WORLD 5K ANY WAY

The Parents Association produced and directed the virtual MMA Girls Run the World 5K Any Way. Alumnae, parents and friends walked, ran, rowed, hiked, or biked their way to multiple 5K completions. Participants from as far away as Riga, Latvia, to as close as 511 Montgomery Avenue, reached the “finish line” with lots of fabulous shared photo ops and to compete for fun prizes. The run proceeds helped to fund student programs and “The Mercy Girl Effect,” an annual initiative to improve the quality of life for people in developing nations.

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For almost 140 years, we at Merion Mercy have been blessed with an amazing legacy of Mercy educators. Decade after decade, our incredible faculty have made a truly profound impact on our students—inspiring, comforting, and challenging them. Our faculty have lighted up minds and hearts, shining a bright, clear path which endures as a life-affirming north star. What we hear so often is “Merion Mercy made me into the woman I am today.” We are honored to share these reflections from two of our alumnae.

“When many reflect back on their years at Merion, they smile and think of the Weenie roasts, dances, trips, and fun. My experience was different as my dad became terminally ill my freshman year and passed away Easter Sunday my sophomore year. (And I had nine younger siblings!) It was really a difficult time in my life.

“Our lives are shaped by significant influencers in our growing-up years. Outside our family bubble, MMA provided a safe place that nurtured us through friendships and learning. I didn’t realize at the time how influential these elements are, but I believe that if you put a child in a thriving atmosphere, good things happen. It is Everything.

What I remember is the small, kind words of caring adults. The moments when teachers recognized I was overwhelmed and gave me extra time to do an assignment. In Sister Miriam de Lourdes’ office, I cried. She made sure that when I returned to class, it didn’t look like I had just cried. It was Mrs. O’Reilly in chemistry, Ms. Kenny in French, my field hockey coach Ms. Costa, Barb Clarke, Sister Ann Marion— and so so many more—who just made my school routine safe and full of love and kindness.

The notions of accountability, responsibility and inner fortitude have stayed with me all these years. Mrs. Zager taught us that science and religion are not at odds.

Fabulous. My 16-year-old self understood that this was a fundamentally important concept. Although I didn’t quite get it at the time, eventually I realized the importance of uniting these concepts. Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Liebman were perhaps the smartest teachers I ever had. Mrs. Jordan infused us with her wonder, her fascination with history and how it influenced our world, and especially how we viewed our future. Mrs. Liebman’s logical approach to abstract concepts allowed me to think in three dimensions, an important building block of my professional life.

I can only imagine the amount of reimagining, pivoting, and extraordinary efforts every faculty and staff member have taken at MMA to preserve the distinguished academics and opportunities for girls this past year. Please know, I am forever grateful for those teachers who “filled my cup” each day—as they personalized the Merion experience for me, and I believe I have become a strong, resilient, and soulful woman today because of their care. Thank you from my heart.”

And Sister Juanita—with her unwavering steadfastness and zeal—provided the foundation to translate Caesar and Cicero, which was such a revelation. I still remember some of those declensions. Sister Brian Mary (aka Peg McBrian) gave me a sense of self. No small feat for an any 17-year-old filled with angst and lack of confidence.

I have come to believe that the mark of success is simple: Raise children to be healthy, happy, and make their way in the world.

Merion is tethered forever in my mind as a critical link in this journey.”

— Fran Bateman Bisselle ’87

— Maureen Sweeney Byrne ’72 6

Isabelle Alemayehu ’23 and Grace O’Connor ’24 mix it up in Chemistry class. In addition to Honors Chemistry, MMA offers AP Chemistry, Forensic Science, Robotics, and other advanced STEM Courses.

GIVING DAY RESULTS

137 Years of Merion Mercy, and 137 Tributes

HonorYourShiningLamp GIVING DAY: May 6, 2021

Faculty, past and present, all share our Mercy charism of service, compassion and collaboration. Through the decades, our teachers never failed to inspire and comfort us, each one of them exhibiting great care, wisdom, strength, and humility, as is our Mercy way.

As part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, for our annual Day of Giving on May 6, 2021, we honored all our Mercy educators with a special celebration of Merion Mercy faculty and staff, past and present. We invited our MMA alumnae and current students to share memories of the Merion teachers who supported them on their life’s journey. We were overwhelmed when we received many touching reflections and tributes—far too many to publish here—from alumnae across the decades, honoring our teachers and inspiring generosity of our community. In an incredible validation of our Mercy legacy, we received 137 gifts amounting to $40,000.

We were proud to celebrate extraordinary teachers who have made a profound impact on thousands of women, and we thank you for this extraordinary support.

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CATHERINE McAULEY SOCIETY | $10,000 to $19,999 Merion Mercy Academy honors and thanks our leadership donors who have generously supported our school community with gifts of $10,000 to $19,999, and by doing so, these donors join in nurturing the mission of Catherine McAuley to sustain her work as her mission of Mercy continues to new generations.

GIVING SOCIETIES

Scott and Yvonne Emerson, P’21 Joseph and Nanette McElwee, P’14 William and Mary O’Shea, P’06, ’13 Sisters of Mercy of the Americas THE TROCAIRE SOCIETY | $20,000 and above Trocaire is the Gaelic word for Mercy. Catherine McAuley defined Mercy as a “vivacious generosity of spirit…a gift given in response to a need.”

KEEP MERCY NEAR SOCIETY | $5,000 to $9,999 William and Marie Pat Githens, P’09, GP’20, ’24 Adam and Marie Hepp, P’95, ’98, GP’24 Dr. Jane Massey Licata, P’08 Patricia McGuire ’70 Montgomery County Intermediate Unit Dennis and Kathleen Riley, P’20 Robert and Ellen Byrnes Willcox ’80, P’12

Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, continually addressed the needs of those in her community. Whether their needs were educational, physical, or spiritual, Catherine was a witness to the merciful presence of God in our world. Inspired by Catherine’s commitment to cultivate Mercy in the lives of others, Merion Mercy designates our highest annual giving level to respond to the needs of our 21st-century teaching and learning community at Merion Mercy.

CIRCLE OF MERCY SOCIETY | $2,500 to $4,999 Rebecca Rimmer Antczak ’90 a Patricia Carbine ’48 Marianne Corr ’74 Mary Ann Danovich a Diane Johnson DiCicco ’97 Basil and Mary DiSipio, Esq., P’99, ’02, ’04, ’07 Michael and Lisa Nicolella Farrell ’78, P’13 Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ferry, P’20 Agnes Shields Finigan ’72 a Louis and Mary Miller Fresta ’87, P’16, ’19, ’23 James and Debbie Lee Gaffney, P’00, ’02, ’04 Gureghian Charitable Foundation

The Trocaire Society sustains these works through exceptionally generous donations that support the greatest needs of MMA. As Merion Mercy Academy’s leading donor group, the following donors are honored for their extraordinary commitment to Merion Mercy by giving gifts of $20,000 or more.

Anonymous (3) Amy Dooner Brennan ’81 Connelly Foundation The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick for the Relief of Emigrants from Ireland Maguire Foundation The Mullarkey Family Mattie Siegfried ’06, Bridget Siegfried ’09, Sara Siegfried ’10 The Charles E. Ellis Foundation Trust for Girls The Howley Foundation

“I grew so much in watching Sister Janet Lamb as a living example of Mercy— how to work with each person, see them for who they truly are and what talents they bring, and how to help them to shine.”

— Eileen Donovan Litka ’89

P=Parent, GP=Grandparent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff

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Robotics teacher Mr. Ben York works with Catherine “Cassie” McDonald ’22 exploring VEX Robotics, an educational tool that engages STEM learning with Play Theory.

Deborah Conway Potter ’70 Leonide Campbell Prince ’57 Dennis and Kathleen Riley, P’20 Robert and Carol Saldutti, P’12, ’14

Michelle O’Grady King ’82 John and Megan Knott, P’21 Jessica Hepp Kraus ’98 Kristin Galli Krauss ’86 La Salle University Catherine Delaney Langdon ’57 William and Heather Leahy, P’18, ’24 Charles and Elizabeth McCauley McCall ’04 a George and Karen McClennen II, P’02, ’03 a Dr. Francis and Trish McCusker, P’03 Joseph and Mary Ellen Nardi III, P’05, ’07 Denise Nowak Kathleen Oldfield ’83 Trevis and Alexandra Parson, P’22 Timothy and Maureen Rafter, P’14, ’17 Scott and Cindy Towers, P’23 Lester and Joan Wurfel, P’03, ’10 Gail DeVecchis Wygant ’72

LIVE MERCY, SEEK JUSTICE SOCIETY | $1,000 to $2,499 Aramark Thomas and Kathleen Ryan Bruder ’56, P’86, GP’19 Julia Bruno ’71 Kevin and Gail Connor, P’11 Joseph Cutuli, Jr. and Mary Lou McBride Robert and Virginia Dunne, P’07, ’12 Jacob and Nicole Perretta Elguicze ’91, P’22, ’24 Tony and Laura Farrell a Flynn & O’Hara Uniforms, Inc. Fenton and Maria FitzPatrick, P’14 Janet Garrity, P’04 Frank and Eleanor Garvey, P’14 Thomas and Kathleen Gaval, P’05, ’08 John and Constance Gillespie, P’87, ’89, ’91 John and Megan Grady, P’19, ’20 Chris Hendrickson Robert and Kelley Hock, P’10, ’12 Isabel Porreca Johnson ’59 Lizanne Johnson-Madgett ’76 Michael and Diane Joyce, P’07, ’11 P=Parent, GP=Grandparent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff,

MATER MISERICORDIAE CIRCLE | $500 to $999 Dr. Henry Bender, P’96 a Lisa Bevilacqua ’11 Mark and Debora Bevilacqua, P’11, ’15 a William and Janet Bonenberger, P’07, ’08 Joseph H. and Catherine Bradley, P’93 Neil and Eileen Sweeney Brazitis ’70, P’99 Racquel David ’87 9

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“Sister Patricia Roux was

Jon and Kristine Derewicz, P’16 Constance Drialo, P’76, ’78, GP’05 Robert Eells and Patricia Griffin, P’17 Amy Wisniewski Furlong ’06 William Gilligan and Julie Holvik, P’16, ’18 Maureen Hill ’01 Maureen Brennan Kozak ’82 Irene Kratz a George and Mary Kathryn Limbach, P’00, ’03, ’06 Louis and Lisa Marchese P’14, ’15 John and Catharine McGeever, P’16 Kathryn Mullen Mullin ’97, P’24 James and Linda DiOttavio Murray ’86, P’16, ’16, ’19 Kevin and Katherine O’Brien, P’14 O’Connell & Company LLC J. Clark and Marilyn O’Donoghue, P ’08 Donna DiGiacomo Patchett ’79 Kathleen Ryan Prebble ’70 Carol Restifo, P’16 a Delories Richardi ’49 Mark and Marie Pat Romano, P’20, ’24 Marianne Leuzzi Rossini ’88 Patrick and Leslie Drialo Ryan ’78, P’05 Bridget Flatley Shea ’89 Judith and John Shea, GP ’17 a Mary Rita McShane Stefanski ’05 Laura Stubbs ’75 George and Jane Voegele, P’22 Dr. David and Sheila Weston, P’88, ’90, ’95, ’98

my French teacher, but what I learned from her was how to be part of the larger world. She opened our eyes by teaching the language, history, art, music, literature, architecture, religion, cuisine, and social customs.

We traveled with her to France, Monaco, Switzerland, and Canada. We raised funds for a Caribbean school in need. She opened the world for me. Even now, I never pack a suitcase without thinking of her.”

— Tracey Quinlan Dougherty ’90

Jane Dagit Young ’55, P’98, GP’20 Angela Zager, P’97 a MERCY SHIELD CLUB | $250 to $499 Marguerite Walsh Arbuckle ’61 Maureen Mahony Atkins ’58 Fran Bateman Bisselle ’87 Joseph C. Blackburn, Jr. Mark and Ginny Bullock Elsie Caldwell, P’96 Kristina Stanton Cawley ’90 a Maureen McShane Chrest ’01 Richard Coughlin and Amy Montemarano, P’20, ’21 Paul and Mary Butler DeVlieger ’82, P’13, ’15, ’20, ’25 Deborah DiMarzio ’77, P’07, ’09 Mary Teresa DiSipio ’07 Dr. John T. Durkin a Marguerite Esmonde ’77 Steven and Maria Figueroa, P’19 Caroline Gallagher Finnegan Michael and Johanna Folgia, P’22 Tom and Amy Foran, P’23 Monica Shea Glick ’89 Michael and Lynda Gorman, P’15, ’24 Gerald and Kathleen Green, P’11, ’16 James Hadden and Elisabeth Fulbright-Hadden, P’21 Mark Harbison and Michele Hartigan, P’15, ’20 Philip and Karen Helbling, P’08 Sister Janet Henry, RSM Neil and Kathryn Horgan, P’23

Brynn Donnelly ’22 plays to win, backed up by Olivia Knott ’21. Brynn also plans to play lacrosse next year at Fairfield University.

P=Parent, GP=Grandparent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff

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Kellyann McClain Silk ’02 Mary Mellon Trotter ’65 Kristen Keating Weeks ’02 Michelle Williams ’96 Edward and Connie Wozinak Donald and Bonnie Wynne BLUE AND GOLD CLUB | Up to $249 Sally Shoemaker Abbruzzi ’60 Summer Abimbola, P’18 Ariana Albater ’00 Bridget Gaffney Anderson ’04 Ann Fergione Angelone ’88 James and Elizabeth Aros, Sr., P’03 Barbara McCormick Atkins ’63 Bill and Mary Kay Avington, P’15 Maura Avington ’15 Dr. Catherine DiSipio Avitabile ’99 Drs. Ausim Azizi and Marie-Christine de Lacoste-Azizi, P’10, ’10 Kathleen Flatley Bandos ’73 Christine Keough Baron ’04 a Colleen Barrett ’89 Teresa Bruno Baumann ’02 Kimberly M. Baxter a Angela David Beatty ’89 Charles and Linda Miele Benton ’75, P’05, ’07, ’10 a Constance Berens ’75 a Keira Zambon Bergvall ’10 Jermaine and Lynnelle Boose, P ’24 Sister Frances Boyle, RSM ’63 a Maribeth Wechsler Boyle ’98 Sister Rosellen Bracken, RSM ’60 Allison Brady Hans and Catherine Braun, P’18, ’21 Joelle Genovese Bridgers ’90 Paul Brown, P’20 Alexis Browsh ’99 a

L to R: Maria Dierkes ’21, Mrs. Debbie Bevolicqua, Yearbook Moderator, and Cierra Kelly ’21 at Meriannal distribution

Charles and Gayle Hughes, P’17 Edward and Regina Stango Kelbon ’78, P’09 Fred and Karen Keller, P’20 Christine Kiernan a Eileen Daly Killeen ’68, P’95, ’99 a Madeline King ’15 Maureen Brennan Kozak ’82 Dennis and Nancy Link, P’22, ’24 Marguerite Dougherty MacDonald ’63 Robert and Colleen FitzPatrick Markey ’83, P’15, ’17 Sister Christine McCann, RSM, BOT a Evan McClennen ’03 John and Dawn McCormick, P’23 Eugenia McGill ’74 John and Ann Marie Taylor McShea ’77, P’15 Bridgett McGinley Medwid ’04 David and Annabelle Mirra, P’ 23 Joan Moreci James and Theresa Burns Mullen ’89 Dennis and Anne Murphy, P’00, ’02, ’05 Margaret McGettigan Murphy ’80 Gerald and Louise O’Brien, P’90, ’94, GP’09 Sister Ann O’Connell, RSM ’62 Jon and Margaret Hepp Oliver ’95, P’24 Drs. William and Anita Ott, P’17, ’20 Joseph and Mary Ozzimo, P’07 Kathleen Duffy Pecoraro ’98 Jessica Jenkins Pullano ’95 Gary and Judith Rabik, P’03, ’06 Donna Collins Ramondo ’68 Paul and Kathleen Reilly, P’99, ’08 Edward and Linda Rimmer, P’90, ’91 Shannon Morrison Schriver ’04

“Ms. Sack taught me the most important lesson I learned at MMA: Everyone has a story. And through all those stories, we learned to be openminded, compassionate, and mercifully aware of others. Those understandings led me to be the woman and the mother I am today. Ms Sack met me where I was, and she believed in the woman I could become.”

— Ana Mattioli Smith ’01

P=Parent, GP=Grandparent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff

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Ryan Morrow ’21, followed by Amelie Marmer ’21, lead the seniors to the Motherhouse Lawn for our 2020 outdoor Carol Night.

Hiral Patel Bryndza ’93 Mandy Buhle ’04 Ashley Burgio ’07 Joanne Calabrese, D.O. ’87 Helen Martin Carter ’60 Hedwig Cerwinka ’66 Barbara Clarke a Paul and Megan Clementi, P’16 a Erin Killeen Coder ’95 Helen Devine Coen ’51 Laura Collins ’99 Joseph and Lorraine Conigliaro, P’90 a Michael and Jane Connolly, P’07 John and Marie Connolly, P’01, ’07 Lawrence and Eileen Conroy, P’10, ’15 Jessica Conroy ’10 Jennifer Cornely ’03 Paul and Marianne Drueding Cornely ’73, P’03

Rosanne Cocca Cosmo ’82 Maureen Costello ’00 Angelica Cassizzi Cprek ’68 Monica Tassoni Cryan ’06 Aileen Curran ’05 Lynn Ann Ravert Curran ’01 Leonard and Lori Currier, P’23 Edwin and Elizabeth Cusack, Jr., P’92 Susan Momenee Cush ’93 Robert D’Anjolell, Sr. Teresa Danovich Kathleen Davis-Crowder ’05 Kellianne Nicholas DeBlase ’06 Carmalena Del Pizzo ’03 John and Kathleen Del Pizzo, Jr., P’21 Bradley and Stella Denn, P’21, ’23 Brian and Lisa Devers, P’17 Patrick and Caren Devine, P’22 Maggie DeVlieger ’13 Katherine DeVlieger ’15 Dominick and Gina DiGiacomo, P’13, ’14 Dorothea DiBello DiGiovanni ’66 Donna DiGravio ’86 Keith and Jennifer DiMarino Alay’na DiSanto ’17 Josephine DiSciascio ’65 Tara Echelmeier Dolan ’94 a Mary Baxter Donnelly ’49 Joseph and Patti Donnelly, P’20, ’22, ’23 Angela DiCocco Donnelly ’04 a

“Mrs. Restifo teaches us through her example of dedication, hard work, and kindness. ” — Monica Paschos ’22

P=Parent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff

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Sara Flounders ’97 Christine Flowers ’79 Bridget Forbes ’04 Casey and Diane Fosbenner, P’24 Amanda Friedlander Fowler ’08 Alan and Kathryn Friedlander ’07, ’08 Alexa Lafferty Friend ’93 Jennifer Powell Fuhrmeister ’05 Timothy and Dorothy Galanaugh, P’04 Stacy Gallagher a Larry and Bernadette Gallone, P’22 Dr. Stephen and Susan Gambescia, P’01 Brian and Helen George, P’23 Patricia McHugh Gernerd ’71 Michelle Giannini ’19 Vincent and Norma Giannini, P’16, ’19 Nicole Giannini ’16 Janine Gibbons ’97 Joan Marie Surosky Given ’90 Helen McEwen Gleason ’53 Joseph and Sarah Gleason, P’21 Maureen Owston Glick ’02 Courtney Wootten Gliwa ’98 Ronald and Marianne Grace, P’04 a Ceara Grady ’20 Isabelle Grady ’19 Anne Gregg a John and Maggie Grimes, P’21, ’24 Dana Grossi ’11 Sharon Kelly Hake ’74 Paul and Jennifer Halas, P’18 Mackenzie Halter ’11 Christopher and Victoria Haney, P’21 Irene Horstmann Hannan ’64 Michael Harris and Nicole Torsella-Harris, P’19 Edward and Barbara Colantuono Harrison ’82, P’14, ’16 a Sheila Harron ’61 Marjorie Heany ’11 Patricia Rachor Hendrick ’60

“Mrs. Hight believed in me even when I didn’t. She, and all the teachers at Merion, show dedication to each individual student. They will do whatever it takes to get their students to believe in themselves.”

— Kylie Rex ’23

Tracey Quinlan Dougherty ’90 Gail Kilker Dowell ’57 Ayleisha Driggins, P’23 Dr. Therese Durkin, M.D. Bernard and Kathleen Dyer, P’99, ’99 Susan Berry Eberhardt ’62 Christine Daly Echelmeier ’70, P’94, ’97, ’99 Meaghan McGrath Egan ’04 Dr. Theresa Tensuan-Eli and Quinn Eli, P’22 William and Sharon Ernst III, P’19 Dr. Eileen Everly ’91 Julie Adelizzi Exter ’01 Raymond and Linda Facciolo, P’07 Christopher and Susan Fagley, P’24 Bernadette Fahy a Joseph Martin and Angelina Falcone†, P’87 Robert and Noreen Farkas, P’17, ’18 Caitlin Farrell ’13 Diamond Figueroa ’19 Steven Figueroa Meaghan Killeen Fishbone ’99 Ryan and Jennifer Fisher, P’24 Shannon Fisher a Caroline Fitzgerald ’10 Jacqueline Gaval Fitzpatrick ’08 Rosemarie Flavin ’93

“I had so many fantastic teachers at Merion. Mrs. Walker is one. She has a passion not only for Latin and Ancient Rome, but for all learning. She is able to make a hard language easy to learn and fun.”

— Emma McGrath ’21 L to R: Mary Eileen McDermott ’21, Ritamarie Montagna, Ashley Marmer ’21 enjoy their Senior Tailgate Party.

P=Parent, GP=Grandparent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff

†=Deceased

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“I will never forget Sr. Rita Small, standing on the desk at the beginning of class to get everyone’s attention, and boy, did she get our attention. I am forever grateful for her and all the strong and loving teachers at Merion.”

— Maggie Hepp Oliver ’95

Mrs. Deanna Crawford points the way as Emma Palante ’24 leans into upper level mathematics.

Charles and Patricia Henneberry, P’87 Christine McNichol Hill ’66, P’01 Christopher and Linda Hillman, P’23 Kate Hinckle a Kathleen O’Sullivan Hinckle ’62, P’87, ’88 Christin Hinckle ’87 Dr. Shana Hogg a Margaret Finegan Hoopes ’82 Lauren Reilly Hopkins ’99 Mary Houston ’09 Sandra Huber Edward and Marianne Hughes, P’10 Kyle Keating Hurtado ’04 Elizabeth Martelli Jeffries ’05 Mr. and Mrs. Eric Johnson Kathleen Johnson ’78 Jamilah Jones ’15 Christopher and Eileen Kallmeyer, P’24 Phyllis Kane a Barbara Hayden Kearns ’57 James and Anne Kelly King ’83, P’18 Kelly King ’18 Katherine Rimmer Kirwan ’91 Denise DeVlieger Koenig ’90 Joan Koob ’07 Nicole LaBletta ’94 Timothy and Alicia Lain, P’22 Fernando and Maria Leal, P’19 Wendy Lee a Robert and Lori Zeller Lesutis ’75, P’98 a Michael and Eileen Donovan Litka ’89, P’20 Theresa Mellon Little ’67 Margaret Kung-Ting Liu† ’50 Alisa Alfonsi Lo Sasso ’90, P’18 Dr. Matthew and Leslie Lorei, P’11, ’22 James and Maria Lynch, P’18, ’19 a Adrienne Graves Lyne ’86 P=Parent, GP=Grandparent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff

†=Deceased

Joan Lyon ’57 Danielle Stewart Magee ’90 Kimberly Keating Mahoney ’09 Christina Marciano, P’24 Scott and Jennifer Marlow John and Patricia McAleer, P’92 a Andrew and Molly McBryan, P’23 Michael and Susan McCabe, P’23 Susan Lewis McCrary ’75 Lindsay McDonnell ’07 Bernadette McGeever ’16 Kathleen McGinty ’71 Brett and Sally Bevlock McGovern a ’89, P’19, ’20, ’23 Katherine Litz McGuinn ’93 Margaret McIlvaine ’90 Joan McIlvaine, P’90 Devon McChesney McKenna ’06 William and Patricia McKeown, Jr., P’06, ’08, ’10 John and Cassie McLaughlin, P’22, ’24 John and Sharon McNamara, P’03 Ellen Gowen McNeill ’58 Sally Ryan McNichol ’61 Mike Medveckus, P’22

Grace Del Pizzo ’21 starred as the Witch in the MMMT outdoor production of Into The Woods.

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Merion students put faith into action, demonstrating Mercy Core Values of service, compassion, and collaboration.

Darlene Meely ’89 Joseph and Mary Grace Menta James and Suzanne Merkins, P’22 Katharine McDevitt Micciolo ’78 Matthew Millan and Liz Oettinger, P’21 Claire Miller ’19 Susan Miller ’65 Mary Ellen Cianfrani Miller ’65 Molly Missett ’13 Sister Mary Christella Mitchell, RSM a Katherine Moran ’08 Mallory Moran a Kevin Moran and Ellie Duffy, P’08 Rita DiSciascio Morley ’62, P’89 Elizabeth Anne Leis Moyerman ’02 Christina Mueller, P’24 Alyssa Nardi Mullen ’05 Emily Dolan Multari ’93 a Maura Murray ’02 Audra Musumeci ’14 Elizabeth Nardi ’07 Loc and Quechi Nguyen, P’21 Bonnie Villari Nicolari ’98 Francisco and Rosa Nieves, P’22 Patricia Nowlan ’07 a Elizabeth O’Brien-Fabeny ’99 Michael and Marissa O’Connell, P’21 Sister Margaret O’Donnell, RSM a M. Monica O’Donoghue ’08 Susan Kelly O’Neill ’96 Charles O’Neill and Irene McLafferty-O’Neill, P’24

P=Parent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff

“I love all the teachers at MMA. One of my favorites is Mrs. Shields. We know she genuinely cares about each of her students and truly wants us to be our best selves. Her lessons go beyond teaching literature.”

— Monica Merenda ’22 Dr. Martin and Marie O’Riordan, P’13 Maureen O’Riordan Anne O’Sullivan ’64 Kevin and Sara Olender, P’23 Jacqueline Ostick ’04 Brittany Ott ’17 Madison Ott ’20 Jaclyn Ozzimo ’07 a John and Colleen Pagliaccetti Hon. Paul and Nancy Panepinto, P’04 John and Roseann Pappas, P’11, ’13 Jennifer Dever Patrick ’90 John and Christina Feo Penezic ’80, P’17 a Gianna Penezic ’17 Richard and Grainne Pergolini, P’18 Monica DiSipio Philbin ’04 Jeffrey and Mary Ellen Porreca, P’23

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“Mrs. McDevitt was the essence of a Mercy educator, as witness to the core Mercy values and the Gospel teachings.

Moreover, she was a force of nature, pushing us to explore our individual gifts and to take advantage of every opportunity available to each MMA student. I will always be inspired by her drive and commitment.”

— Kathy Oldfield ’83

An advisory lunch turns into COVID-safe frosty fun as students built Merion Mercy's own version of a snowman.

Andrew and Patricia Rolfes, P’15 Margramari Costanzo Roseman O’Brien ’58 Loretta Tiers Ross ’73 Kelly Rudnick ’89 Marianne Rule a Maria DiGiacomo Rush ’13 Mary Elizabeth Ryan ’10 Paula Ryan ’86 Dominic and Bonita Sabatini, P’88 Patricia Sack a Meghan Saldutti ’14 Shannon Saldutti ’12 Sister Anna Saltzman, RSM a Kirsten Echelmeier Sams ’99 Meghan Githens Scannapieco ’09 Gabriella Schneider ’14 Margaret Farley Schneider ’90 Christina Schweingruber ’12 Kelly Gaval Sciblo ’05 Emma McCreight Sculley ’04 Catherine Haenn Shannon ’61 Emily Shields ’14 Colleen McCrane Shoemaker ’75 a Mary Jane Shor ’57 Andrew and Kathleen Shuda, Jr., P’00 Mattie Siegfried ’06 Clare Hauserman Silecchia ’65 Cecilia Capuzzi Simon ’75 Michael Sims a Danielle Siravo ’06 Thomas and Colette Sloan, P’99, ’06 Louis and Mary Beth Snyder, P’13 Karen Whitaker Sorensen ’90 Albert and Maryanne Spallucci, P’15

Meghan Power ’05 Elizabeth Provost ’69 Valerie Prucnal a Martin and Lisa Purcell, P’09, ’15, ’23 Peter and Deidre Quinn, P’24 Timothy and Marianne Rafter, P’11 Cesar Ramirez and Constanza Espita, P’11, ’17, ’22 Kevin and Mary Jo Ratigan, P’19 Christine Wechsler Rayer ’95 Christopher and Michele McDonnell Reichow ’83, P’20 John and Jessica Reick John and Leona Reick, Sr. Maureen McEwen Reilly ’79 Ann Reimel, P’75, ’81, ’82 Rendell Associates, LLC Troy and Daiquiri Robinson, P’20

“I have many favorite teachers at Merion. One of them is Mr. Paul Clementi. He is not only excellent at sharing the course material, but he’s also excellent at connecting with his students. We loved our A.P. U.S. History class with him. ” — Grace Del Pizzo ’21 P=Parent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff, †=Deceased

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Susan Strittmatter Spangenberg ’97 Meredith Spinelli ’05 Allison Starr ’13 Marilyn Lamb Steidle ’64 Greg and Kellie Steller, P’17 Virginia Hauserman Sten ’66 Elizabeth McManus Streit ’09 Elizabeth Sullivan ’85 Maria Sullivan ’85 William and Joan Swayngim, P’96, ’97 Kourtnay Sweeney, P’22 Michael and Jodie Szlachta, P’22, ’23 Thomas and Evelyn Tarpey, P’03 Vincent and Barbara Termini Louis and Janis Testa, P’08 Kyle Thompson a Paul and Jamie Torna, P’19 Raymond and Karen Toto, P’05 Elizabeth Ueland a Rosee Uttal-Duffy ’59 Andrea Phillips Valentino ’71 Elaine Van Horn ’73 Philip Vinogradov a Kaitlyn Votta ’11 Dr. Jeanine Romanelli and Jason Waggoner, P’21

“Although everyone in the Merion community has made a positive impact on my life, Ms. Ozzimo inspired me throughout my four years at MMA and continues to do so. Ms. O is such a compassionate and caring person who is truly invested in helping her students reach their fullest potential. Whether it’s inside or outside of the classroom, Ms. O is always supportive of her students. She is passionate about the material she teaches, and her students can sense palpable enthusiasm and excitement. Ms. O inspires me to pursue the things in life that spark my interest. ” — Cara Keller ’20

Christina Sumin Walker ’18 John and Brooke Walker, P’18 Allison Walker ’89 Suzanne Corey Walker ’99 a Daryl and Mika Walton, P’22 Janet Hauserman Ward ’70 Adrianne Walvoord Webb ’99 Cynthia Porreca Wein ’64 Erin Catherine Welch ’19 Meghan Gaffney Wells ’02 John and Susan Wendling, P’99, ’02, ’10 Karl and Teresa Werner, P’22 Charles and Mary White, P’10 Diane Cipriani Wikso ’06 Storm Jamison Wilkins ’83 Nellie Willcox ’12 Susan Veith Williams ’64 Frances Gearen Williams ’65 Nancy Williamson ’74 Michael and Katie Williamson, P’23, ’24 David and Holly Wisniewski, P’06 Timothy and Catherine Woestman, P’94 Thomas and Nancy Wojciechowski, P’96, ’05 Mary Louise Kelly Wolfington ’62 Annette Young ’15 Anne Miller Zartarian ’64 Tobin Zazzarino Barbara Zsembik ’20

Caileigh Grimes ’21 stands with her Honors Art Major Capstone project “Symbols of Courage,” in which she explored themes of identity, adversity, resilience and inner strength.

P=Parent, GP=Grandparent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff

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MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES

“Sister Beth was always a bright ray of sunshine. She was full of energy and spunk, encouraging

The following businesses, corporations, and foundations contributed matching gifts to Merion Mercy.

students to push themselves and to have an open mind about new

Abbott Fund Matching Grant Plan Bristol-Myers Squibb Chubb Corporate Giving Comcast Corporation Enterprise Rent-a-Car Exelon Foundation Fidelity Charitable Glenmede Trust Company Goldman Sachs Matching Gift Program Johnson & Johnson New York Life Foundation United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey The Vanguard Group Wells Fargo Matching Gift

opportunities. Sister Beth showed us firsthand that even when faced with challenges to trust God and trust His plan for us. She was a true inspiration. Her door was open, and I always left feeling empowered and happy. Sister Beth is a perfect example of how Merion Mercy teachers are more than just teachers. They go above and beyond for their students beyond the classroom— beyond the school hours, beyond their job description.

Her love and compassion helped shape me as a young lady, a woman of Mercy, and now a Mom.” — Kelly Nicholas DeBlase ’06

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EITC AND OSTC DONORS Merion Mercy is exceedingly grateful to the following businesses that made donations though the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. We also extend our thanks for our partnership with Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) for streamlining this process for our donors.

This past fiscal year, 16 Pennsylvania businesses and individuals made generous gifts to MMA through these tax credit programs, amounting to $253,330 to support scholarships and financial aid. These donors were able to receive substantial tax credits while redirecting those tax dollars to provide needed funding for deserving Merion Mercy students. These tax credit gifts make a profound impact on students who would otherwise be unable to attend Merion Mercy Academy.

Nancy Lam ’21 “It is hard for me to express my gratitude for the opportunity to be a Tax Credit scholarship awardee at Merion Mercy. I have had so many incredible experiences and cherished memories. I was accepted into Dartmouth College’s Fly-In program in October. This is a program that Dartmouth hosts for prospective Native American students to learn more about the college. I was also invited to attend similar programs at the University of Pennsylvania and at Williams College. At Penn, I also attended their first all-female hackathon. With the knowledge of all the many opportunities available to me, I have made a decision looking forward: I will pursue a career in nursing at University of Pennsylvania. Reflecting on my time at Merion, what I treasure most is my experience of the MMA sisterhood.”

Mairead O’Hara ’21 EITC Donors Carrlu Company, Inc. DELCO Properties Holdings, LLP Elliott-Lewis Corporation Scott and Yvonne Emerson, P’21 Gregory and Ellen Giangiordano, P’21 Healthcare Services Group, Inc. David and Karen Ix, P’20 J.P. Mascaro & Sons Education Fund John and Catharine McGeever, P’16 Montgomery Avenue II LLC Edward Morris Michael and Eileen Stewart, P’06, ’13 OSTC Donors Mycone Dental Supply Co, Inc.

“Merion Mercy has been my dream school since I was eight years old, and I am so grateful to our taxcredit donors for giving me this opportunity. The passionate, driven environment at Merion has helped me grow into an outspoken advocate for social justice, a leader in my classes, as well in the Spanish Club and Biotechnology Club. Over the last four years, I have enjoyed the gift of kind and uplifting friends and teachers who have made the last four years absolutely the best years of my life. I look forward to my freshman year at the College of the Holy Cross as a member of the Class of 2025.”

Brian and Miriam O’Neill ’78, P’07, ’09, ’16 Sterling Investment Advisors UGI Storage Company

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L to R: Kaitlyn Grose ’21 as Cinderella, Grace O’Neill ’24 as the Cow, and Katie Gallone ’22 as the Baker, frolic for fun as they pursue their dreams in the outdoor production of Into the Woods

The Felicia Falcone ’87 Endowed Scholarship Fund Established in 2005 by Joseph and Angelina Falcone in memory of their daughter Felicia Falcone ’87, this scholarship provides funding each year for one junior or senior student with outstanding academics, demonstrated interest in writing, dance, music, or musical theater, and a strong commitment to service.

The following individuals have donated to this scholarship fund over the last school year.

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID FUNDS Merion Mercy Academy is grateful to the many generous donors who contributed to our various scholarship funds in the 2020-2021 academic year.

With this charitable support, we proudly offer many scholarship and financial aid opportunities based on academic achievement, need, art, music, and STEM abilities.

Ann Fergione Angelone ’88 Joseph Martin and Angelina Falcone†, P’87 Charles and Patricia Henneberry, P’87 Eric and Lindsay Johnson Joseph and Mary Grace Menta John and Jessica Reick, Jr. John and Leona Reick, Sr. The Sister Catherine FitzPatrick Endowed Scholarship Fund This fund was established in 2000 to honor Sister Catherine FitzPatrick, RSM (Sister Gertrude Marie), who served as principal from 1953 to 1968. This scholarship provides financial aid for an incoming freshman student with commitment to the Mercy core values and who has demonstrated high academic achievement.

“Mrs. Mac is the essence of a woman of Mercy.”

— Suzie Momenee-Cush ’93

Fenton and Maria FitzPatrick, P’14 United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey P=Parent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff, †=Deceased

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Other Scholarship Funds

“I salute Mrs. Lesutis for her loving nature not only as a human being but as

Merion Mercy Academy General Scholarship Fund This long-standing scholarship fund provides financial aid to incoming students who are nominated by their school principal. Students are awarded these funds based on outstanding leadership, service to others, academics and strong character. This funding is available to students at every Mercy elementary school in the region, and to other schools at large, including any regional public or private school.

a teacher and mother figure. She exemplified the spirit of Mercy, treating each student as if she were one of her very own. She truly wanted every girl to succeed. She inspired me to be a doting mother and mentor to my

Darlene Melley ’89 Allison Walker ’89

colleagues!”

— Kelly O’Neill Kishel ’98

The Josephine Bakhita Scholarship Fund This scholarship fund was named for Saint Josephine Bakhita, who was born in the later part of the 19th century in what is now Sudan and later entered religious life. The Bakhita scholarship is awarded to students of color with great financial need who would not be able to attend Merion otherwise. This scholarship was funded this year by the following donor.

Maguire Scholars Program This program is funded by the Maguire Foundation and is awarded to students with strong academic achievement and with great financial need.

Bernadette Milani Sweeney ’78 STEM Scholarship Fund This fund was established in 2019 by Joseph Sweeney, Jr. in memory of his wife Bernadette Milani Sweeney ’78, who died in April of 2019. This award is given as financial aid to a student with a specific interest in pursuing STEM at Merion and possibly after graduation. This year, the following individuals contributed to this scholarship.

Anonymous

“Dr. Cara Latham is always so positive and

John and Marie Connolly, P’07

kind. If I was having a bad day, just attending her

Jane V. Bender Memorial Fund This fund was established in 2014 by Dr. Henry Bender and family in memory of his wife, Jane Bender, parents of Dr. Katherine Bender ’96, to honor the Mercy spirit of the school, and to honor single mothers. The fund provides supplemental support for the non-tuition needs of students who require assistance for Kairos retreats, class rings, prom tickets, field trips, Parents Association events and other school activities.

class would make me feel better afterwards. She is a bright light that everyone needs in their life.”

— Kristen Williams ’22

Dr. Henry Bender, P’96 a Sandra Huber Elizabeth McCauley McCall ’04 a

P=Parent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff

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RePete Scholarship This memorial fund provides aid to one high-achieving student from BVM or St. Laurence parishes in the form of a full tuition scholarship awarded every four years.

“The very cool and well put together Mrs. Barbara Harrison showed us all

Amy Donner Brennan ’81

that there is a need to keep up the studies of our

The Howley Foundation The Howley Foundation is focused on supporting, expanding, and creating high-quality educational opportunities for students of limited economic means.

This foundation provides financial aid to students in great need who have the scholastic aptitude to successfully participate in the Merion Mercy academic program. The Howley Foundation is also further committed to character formation as an important part of education.

faith—even when we think we have heard it all by our senior year in high school.

I am now the Coordinator for Religious Education at my parish, and I often think of her and her enthusiasm for the subject and try to channel it myself.”

— Eileen Donovan Litka ’89

The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for The Relief of Emigrants from Ireland and Mary F. Mullarkey Endowed Scholarship Fund This endowed scholarship fund was recently established in 2020, jointly, by The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and James P. Mullarkey. The scholarship is designed to support the mission of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Merion Mercy Academy, and the Sisters of Mercy.

The Ellis Trust for Girls This longstanding source of funding for girls is from single-parent families living in Philadelphia based on financial guidelines set by the foundation. Funding is open to female students for private or public secondary schools.

The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for the Relief of Emigrants from Ireland The Mullarkey Family

“The sweet and beautiful legacy Sister Ethel imparts is how she showed us paths to do our own learning while sparking in all of us an The 2021 MMA Crew team, Varsity 8, enjoy being at the Malta Boathouse after months of ERG-only workouts on campus.

authentic curiosity with which we explore in all of our life journeys.”

— Maria Miele Boyd ’72

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PLANNED GIVING

“When my husband and I reflected on meaningful times in our lives, we decided to make planned gifts to our respective high schools. Accordingly, we made provisions in our estate planning to leave a bequest to Merion Mercy, which was distributed after my husband’s death last spring. I continue to value the wonderful

Legacy Society 1884

education I received at Merion. After 60 years, I still cherish the friendships that began at Merion and continue to this day. It feels good to give back to MMA, the school from which I received so much. May God bless Merion Mercy.”

Janice Kuryloski Carson ’61

Merion Mercy Academy deeply appreciates the commitment, to our today and our tomorrow, made by those who have included MMA in their long-term financial or estate plans.

Please join us in grateful recognition of our newest members of The 1884 Legacy Society: Marguerite Walsh Arbuckle ’61 Janice Kuryloski Carson ’61 Kristina Stanton Cawley ’90 a Agnes Shields Finigan ’72 a Isabel Porreca Johnson ’59 George and Karen McClennen, P’02, ’03 a Leonide Campbell Prince ’57 Sue Strittmatter Spangenberg ’97

We honor those who have made, or intend to make, a planned gift or bequest in support of the current needs and future vitality of Merion Mercy Academy. This is a way to make a meaningful gift to Merion Mercy that costs nothing during your lifetime.

The 1884 Legacy Society was established to recognize the alumnae, parents, faculty, staff, and friends who have pledged this vital support to Merion Mercy Academy through an estate or planned gift. As such, members of the 1884 Legacy Society receive distinguished recognition.

To those who have already included Merion Mercy in their estate planning, we extend our profound thanks. If you have already made a plan to make a bequest to MMA, please let us know.

To those considering a planned gift, or would like to learn more, please contact Agnes Shields Finigan ’72 in the Development Office at afinigan@merion-mercy.com or call her at 610-664-6655, ext. 126.

“Sister Alice Mary’s wisdom, strength, dignity, warmth, and compassion are lifetime treasures for each of us who were lucky enough to be her students.”

— Agnes Shields Finigan ’72 23

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The Class of 2022 in solemn procession at the start of the Junior Ring Mass

IN MEMORIAM IN MEMORY OF VITO A. COSMO, JR. Rosanne Cocca Cosmo ’82 IN MEMORY OF SISTER MIRIAM DE LOURDES HUNTER ’51, RSM a Marianne Drueding Cornely ’73 Phyllis Kane a

IN MEMORY OF DECEASED CLASSMATES OF 1959 Rosee Uttal-Duffy ’59 IN MEMORY OF BONNIE KRATOCHWILL ALGEO ’68 Mary Mellon Trotter ’65

IN MEMORY OF DOMENICK, ROSALIE, AND ALBERT DI GRAVIO Donna DiGravio ’86

IN MEMORY OF JANE V. BENDER, P’96, who led by example and influenced the lives of so many children, for so many years, restricted to the Jane V. Bender Fund Sandra Huber

IN MEMORY OF SISTER CATHERINE FITZPATRICK, RSM a Leonide Campbell Prince ’57

IN MEMORY OF MAUREEN DALY COOPER ’67 Joseph and Lorraine Conigliaro, P’90 a Agnes Shields Finigan ’72 a Eileen Daly Killeen ’68, P’95, ’99 a

IN MEMORY OF MEG FLORES ’89 Angela David Beatty ’89

IN MEMORY OF MY UNCLE NICK COPPA, and restricted to my dear cousin’s scholarship, The Felicia Falcone Scholarship Ann Fergione Angelone ’88

IN MEMORY OF MARY PAT GARVEY ’86 Frank and Eleanor Garvey, P’14

IN MEMORY OF JOANNA GALDO ’98 John and Patricia McAleer, P’92 a

IN MEMORY OF KATHLEEN DEVINE HENDRICKSON ’72 Chris Hendrickson Gail DeVecchis Wygant ’72

IN MEMORY OF NICHOLAS COPPA, JR. Joseph Martin and Angelina Falcone†, P’87 Charles and Patricia Henneberry, P’87 Mr. and Mrs. Eric Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Menta John and Jessica Reick, Jr. John and Lenoa Reick, Sr. Vincent and Barbara Termini

IN MEMORY OF SISTER MARIA DEL CARMEN KUHN, RSM a Charles and Linda Miele Benton ’75, P’05, ’07, ’10 a Leonide Campbell Prince ’57 IN MEMORY OF SISTER JANET MARIE LAMB ’61, RSM a , AND HILDA E. LAMB Marilyn Lamb Steidle ’64

IN MEMORY OF SISTER PATRICIA JOSEPH CORKERY, RSM Patricia Rachor Hendrick ’60

P=Parent, GP=Grandparent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff

†=Deceased

IN MEMORY OF CARMEN LEWIS Susan Lewis McCrary ’75 24

IN MEMORY OF ELSA LOPUSNIAK a Elizabeth Ueland a IN MEMORY OF SUSAN WHITEHEAD MARTINEZ ’89 Angela David Beatty ’89 IN MEMORY OF ANN SCATTERGOOD MCDEVITT ’55, P’78, GP’10 a Agnes Shields Finigan ’72 a Katharine McDevitt Micciolo ’78, P’10 IN MEMORY OF GREGORY J. NOWAK, ESQ., FATHER OF ELISE ’12 AND MADELINE ’18 Denise Nowak, P’12, ’18 IN MEMORY OF FRANK A. RAMONDO Donna Collins Ramondo ’68

Regina Passarella ’21 crowning Our Blessed Mother for the Women for Life and Love May Procession.

IN MEMORY OF ELLEN RYAN ’58 Thomas and Kathleen Ryan Bruder ’56, P’86, GP’19

In Honor of Mary Ann Danovich a Teresa Danovich Emma McCreight Sculley ’04

IN MEMORY OF MERCEDES “MISSY” STAPLETON ’89 Darlene Meely ’89 Allison Walker ’89

In Honor of The Faculty Carmalena Del Pizzo ’03

IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH J. SWEENEY, SR., GP’06 John and Marie Connolly, P’07

In Honor of Maria ’13 and Tina ’14 Dominick and Gina DiGiacomo, P’13, ’14 In Honor of Cathy Johnson a Tara Echelmeier Dolan ’94

IN HONORARIUM

In Honor of our Daughter Maeve Eells ’17 Robert Eells and Patricia Griffin, P’17 In Honor of Dr. Seth Pidot a Mr. Quinn Eli and Dr. Theresa Tensuan-Eli, P’22

In Honor of Kristina Stanton Cawley ’90 a Rebecca Rimmer Antczak ’90 a Joelle Genovese Bridger ’90 Tracey Quinlan Dougherty ’90 Joan Marie Surosky Given ’90 Denise DeVlieger Koenig ’90 Margaret McIlvaine ’90 Karen Whitaker Sorensen ’90

In Honor of Almira Santos Tensuan ’22 Mr. Quinn Eli and Dr. Theresa Tensuan-Eli, P’22 In Honor of The Faculty, Staff, and Students of MMA Tony and Laura Farrell a In Honor of MMA Coaching Staff Shannon Fisher a In Honor of Ms. Shannon Fisher a Ryan and Jennifer Fisher, P’24

In Honor of 1963 Classmates living and deceased Barbara McCormick Atkins ’63

In Honor of Sister Rita Small, RSM a Alexa Lafferty Friend ’93

In Honor of Maura Avington ’15 Bill and Mary Kay Avington, P’15

In Honor of The Class of 2021 Stacy Gallagher a

In Honor of Sister Elaine Schaeffer, RSM a Charles and Linda Miele Benton ’75, P’05, ’07, ’10 a

In Honor of Teachers and Staff, Thank you for all you do for the academic formation and character development for young women!

Dr. Stephen and Susan Gambescia, P’01

In Honor of Lauren ’07 and Chelsea ’08 William and Janet Bonenberger, P’07, ’08 In Honor of Joseph H. Bradley Joseph and Catherine Bradley, P’93

In Honor of Jodi Garvey ’14 Frank and Eleanor Garvey, P’14

In Honor of Rebecca Rimmer Antczak ’90 a Allison Brady In Honor of MMA 2020-2021 Faculty and Alumnae Alexis Browsh ’99 a

In Honor of Kate Hinckle a Kathleen O’Sullivan Hinckle ’62, P’87, ’88 Tobin Zazzarino

In Honor of The Class of 2011 Kevin and Gail Connor, P’11

In Honor of Sister Honora Nicholson, RSM a Margaret Finegan Hoopes ’82

25

REPORT ON GIVING 2020-2021

HONORING OUR

Shining Lamps

In Honor of Noreen Kromm a and William Baillie a Charles and Gayle Hughes, P’17

“ To us, Sister Honora seemed

In Honor of Class of 2015 Jamilah Jones ’15

ageless, as full of energy and

In Honor of All the future female leaders from MMA Michael and Diane Joyce, P’11, ’07

joy and God’s love.”

enthusiasm of life as she was of — Megwin Finegan Hoopes ’82

In Honor of Rachel Massey Licata ’08 Dr. Jane Massey Licata, P’08 In Honor of Isabella Donohue ’25 Dr. Alisa Alfonsi LoSasso ’90, P’18 In Honor of Hannah Cramutola ’24 Christina Marciano, P’24 In Honor of Maureen McDonald a John and Patricia McAleer, P’92 a In Honor of Karen McClennen a Evan McClennen ’03 Kaitlyn Votta ’11 In Honor of Caitlin ’03 Dr. Francis and Trish McCusker, P’03 In Honor of Class of 1970 and in celebration of my 50th Reunion year! Can’t believe it’s been this long....

Patricia McGuire ’70 In Honor of Mrs. Cahill a, Mrs. Prucnal a and Ms. Nowlan a James and Suzanne Merkins, P’22 In Honor of Paul Clementi a Claire Miller ’19 In Honor of Laura Farrell a Joan Moreci In Honor of Julia ’24 Christina Mueller, P’24 In Honor of Frances Porreca ’23 Jeffrey and Mary Ellen Porreca, P’23 In Honor of Lyn Murphy Rendell Associates, LLC

In Honor of Lori Lesutis ’75, P’98 a Shannon Saldutti ’12 In Honor of the Faculty Christina Schweingruber ’12 In Honor of Sister Sally Condart, RSM a Andrew and Kathleen Shuda, Jr., P’00 In Honor of Maria Miele Boyd ’72, P’05 a, and Colleen Mooney Gallagher ’83, P’12 a Dr.Michael Sims a In Honor of Erin Snyder ’13 Louis and Mary Beth Snyder, P’13 In Honor of Dr. Cara Latham, F, for her gift of leadership of the music program. Although I met her my senior year, she had a profound impact in my musical education.

Christina Sumin Walker ’18 In Honor of Damya Walton ’22 Daryl and Mika Walton, P’22 In Honor of Laura Singer Walters a Meghan Gaffney Wells ’02 In Honor of Sister Elizabeth Ann Carroll, RSM a Storm Jamison Wilkins ’83 In Honor of Dr. Diane Morton a Dr. Edward and Connie Wozinak

In Honor of Taylor Chelsea Robinson ’20 Troy and Daiquiri Robinson, P’20

In Honor of Maria Miele Boyd ’72, P’05 a, MMA Art Department Chair Gail DeVecchis Wygant ’72

In Honor of Sister Ethel Sweeney, RSM a Margramari Costanzo Roseman O’Brien ’58

In Honor of Juliette Schmidt ’22 and Jessica Schmidt ’23 Angela Zager, P’97 a

In Honor of Sister Anna Saltzman, RSM a Marianne Rule a

In Honor of Colleen Mooney Gallagher ’83, P’12 a Barbara Zsembik ’20

In Gratitude for and Honor of former colleagues Joan Hight a and Elizabeth Ueland a Pat Sack a

P=Parent, a=Current/Former Faculty Staff

26

This report contains all gifts received from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. If there are errors or omissions, please accept our sincere apology, and report changes or corrections to Agnes Shields Finigan ’72, Director of Donor Relations and Planned Giving, at afinigan@merion-mercy.com.

MERION MERCY ACADEMY 511 Montgomery Avenue, Merion Station, PA 19066 phone: (610) 664-6655 web: merion-mercy.com