Alumni - St. Cecilia School

Alumni
THE NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI, FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS OF ST. CECILIA SCHOOL
5TH ISSUE
Notes from the
Principal
A message from
Mrs. Connelly
Page 2
WINTER 2014/2015
Alumni Scholarship
Fund
Donations from
you!
Page 4
Noteworthy
Reunions
Alumni Updates
Make a Note
Frank Dunnigan
’66
Page 6
‘53, ‘54, ’57, ‘79
‘84, ‘88, ‘10
Page 8
Catch up with your Plan for future
classmates
events at St. Cecilia
Page 17
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St. Cecilia’s Job
& Career Fair!
By Veronica Granucci ’04
The 2014/2015 school year marked the
first year of what we hope will be a great
new tradition here at St. Cecilia, the St.
Cecilia Graduate Job & Career Fair. Open
to graduates from the past 10 years, the
goal of the fair was to “bring together bay
area business representatives to meet
with St. Cecilia graduates to discuss their
companies and potentially provide
summer internship and job opportunities
to qualified candidates.” Members of the
class of 2005 through 2014 gathered in the
Durocher Pavilion with representatives
from over 30 different companies offering
college internships and high school
summer jobs. Graduates also had the
opportunity to meet with resume experts
Resume builder, Lisa Simpson giving alums tips and tricks to enhance their resumes.
Continued on page 3
Winter 2014/2015
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Principal’s Notes
As the principal
and a graduate
of St. Cecilia
School, it is an
honor to be
writing
an
article for the
fifth edition of
the
Alumni
Newsletter. We
invite you to join us on Saturday evening,
January 31, 2015, at the 5:00 p.m. evening
Mass when we celebrate Catholic Schools
Week.
In particular we acknowledge St. Cecilia
School as it continues to provide
programs that integrate Catholic values
throughout
the
curriculum
while
encouraging
a
strong
sense
of
community. The administration, faculty,
and staff are dedicated to the religious,
academic, social, psychological, cultural,
and physical development of each
individual. We continue to provide
instruction and opportunities in a
Catholic community for students to pray,
serve and respect others and make
choices in light of Gospel values.
Parents, as primary educators, and
teachers, as facilitators of learning, work
together to provide a quality education
that assists students in developing their
unique capabilities and prepares them to
become socially responsible citizens.
Students
grow
intellectually
by
participating in age-appropriate and
meaningful
activities.
As
lifelong
learners, students develop the skills of
effective communication and problem
solving to prepare for the challenges of
the future.
Many of us have a lived
experienced of a strong academic
program which prepared us for our
continuing education. We had faculty
role models who taught us what is means
to be a follower of Jesus, and we formed
friendships
that
have
continued
throughout the years. St. Cecilia’s is
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privileged to have 17 faculty/staff Continued from page 1
members who are S.C. alumni:
Sr.
Ann
Gilchrist,
Psychologist
’57,
School
Kathy Kays, ’67, Teacher - Grade 8
Teri De Benedetti Watters, ’67, Teacher Kindergarten
Sue Wilson Holland, ’73, Teacher - Gr. 1
Marian Mulkerrins
Principal
Connelly,
’75,
Theresa McCarthy McGovern, ’79, Aide
- Grade 1
Beth Tunney Fergus, ’83, Teacher - Gr. 8
Melanie
McGreevy
Manning,
Extended Care Director/aide
’84,
Darin Fong, ’85, Teacher – Grade 5
Jarrod Formalejo, ’90, Teacher – Grade 6
Liz Reardon Broderick, ‘83, Aide – Gr. 6
Sharon Brown Shea, ’93, Teacher – Gr. 2
Chris Watters, ’97, Teacher – Junior High
Suzanne Short, ‘99, Aide – Grade 1
Sophia Salfiti, ‘00, Aide – Grade 3
Veronica
Director
Granucci,
’04,
-
Genentech
to help them build and enhance their
resumes for future hiring opportunities.
In the current vastly changing career
landscape it seems only natural to go
back to your roots, your network, so that
you
find
yourself
trusted
and
represented.
As an employer you
understand the training and quality
behind the education of your potential
hire. There is no question about the
foundation of the work they have been
through as they stand before you. It’s an
easy filter to grab from a pool of knowns
rather than unknowns.
Alumni
Christina Balistreri, ’05, Teacher – Grade
2
Christine Ramirez,’05, Extended Care
Staff
Celebrate your lived experience of St.
Cecilia School by attending our Catholic
Schools Week Liturgy on Saturday,
January 31, 2015, at 5:00 p.m.!
A
reception will follow so you will have
time to see “old” friends!
Titan Outdoor Marketing
Event coordinator, Mike Riordan, put it
this way, “We geared the day to SC
Alums for three reasons. First, because
we believe in the quality of the students,
the educational system, and the
families….” Looking for a job especially
with novice experience has always been
daunting and never as overwhelming as
Continued on page 16
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Alumni Mass & Gathering
The Alumni Mass and Gathering marks the close of Catholic Schools Week, a time when we are able to appreciate the wonderful
opportunities Catholic Schools have to offer.
For the past five years the St. Cecilia’s community have honored their alumni with a special mass and reception. Alumni each
receive a badge to display their graduation year and to ensure that they are recognized by the parish community. We invite all
alumni to join us this year, for the 5PM Saturday Vigil Mass on January 31, 2015. A reception in the lower church will
immediately follow mass. Light refreshments will be offered and there will also be the opportunity to tour the school. Please join
us for this fun event!
An e-mailed invitation was sent out at the end of December. If you did not receive your invitation, don’t worry! We still look
forward to seeing you there! Please contact our Alumni Office at [email protected] in order to update your contact
information and ensure you receive further correspondence.
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Alumni
Scholarship Fund
2013-2014
The Alumni Scholarship Fund was started in 2010 to directly benefit students in need
of tuition assistance. The generosity shown through these donations ensures that St.
Cecilia School continues to make a difference in the lives of their students, present and
future. We truly appreciate all the gifts we have received.
Individual Donors
Individual Donors
Col Anthony Aldwell ’64
Francis Allio ‘44
Daniel Buick ‘71
Barbara Burns ‘57
Jeffrey Carlin ‘83
Lisa Kelly Carlin ‘83
Richard Caselli D.D.S. ‘51
Xavier Echon ‘09
Alexander Echon ‘12
Ronaldo Echon ‘80
Jack Harrington ‘50
Kevin Illia ‘59
Susan Porrazzo Jordan ‘60
Terry Keenan ‘62
Robert Lucchesi ‘60
Tevis Martin ‘46
Carol Upland Martin ‘46
Patricia Harwood May ‘56
Nancy Mazza ‘62
Warren McCausland ‘54
John McCloskey ‘51
John Moriarity ‘47
Mary Alice Ritter Musante ‘57
Marian Sullivan O'Donnell ‘46
Matthew Pallas ‘02
Kathleen Lyons Parker ‘49
Eugene Payne ‘61
Patricia Joyce Poston ‘56
Carmel Breen Quinn ‘50
Miriam Macdonald Reid ‘49
Raymond Richetti ‘41
Marianne Steeger Rossi ‘64
John Rossi ‘62
Robert Rossi ‘59
Michael Russo ‘71
Norman Schoenstein ‘36
Rae Heinz Slaby ‘46
Arthur Strange ‘50
James Sullivan ‘41
William Wagner ‘56
Abbie Lucey Wishart ‘74
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Give a gift to the future
If your class would like to donate to the
Alumni Scholarship Fund and be
recognized on our perpetual plaque
with the engraving of your class year,
please contact the St. Cecilia Alumni
Director, Veronica Granucci ’04 , at
[email protected].
--------------------------------------If you would like to donate as an
individual, please take a moment to fill
out the remit envelope found at the
center of this newsletter. Thank you.
Class Donors
Class of 1953
Class of 1957
Class of 1979
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Mother’s Club Fundraiser
St. Cecilia would also like to thank the following Alumni who donated to the Mother’s Club
Fundraiser. These generous gifts directly benefit the students of St. Cecilia.
Representing Kindergarten: Joe Greene ’80 (parent/contestant),
Kathleen Lucey Mckeon ’84 ( dance team manager), & Beth Tunney
Fergus ’83 (8th grade teacher/contestant)
Dancing With the Stars of St. Cecilia
1950s
1980s
1980s
Robert Mulcrevy ’55
Joe Greene '80
Lynanne Lee Bradshaw '80
Deirdre Schneider Burke '81
Annette Ring Hagan '81
Jane Mulcrevy Kenneally '81
Julie Finnegan Morris '81
Chris Spear '81
Jim Fergus '82
Mary Tunney Flynn '82
Will Lucey '82
Liz Reardon Broderick '83
Beth Tunney Fergus '83
Erin Mulcrevy Burke '84
Melanie McGreevy Manning '84
Michael & Kathleen McKeon '84
Alisa Tocchini Peralta '84
Sharon M. Reardon '84
John Mulkerrins '85
Frank Diaz '86
Kathryn Ann Dougery '86
Siobahn Howard Haskell '86
Ailish Kelleher McVeigh '86
Laura Mulcrevy '86
Karin Kramer Haskell '87
Maureen Mulcrevy Maguire '87
1960s
Patrick Skain ’62
Hugh Donohue ’64
Dave Sullivan ’66
Katherine Kays ’67
1970s
Trish McEntee Magee ’74
Marian Mulkerrins Connelly ’75
Mary E. Ring ’77
Kathleen Fergus Greene ’79
Theresa McCarthy McGovern ’79
DWTS of SC winners Donita Murphy and Ali Downey
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Noteworthy
By Brian Adler ’85
Whether you remember riding the “Iron
Monster” streetcars on the L Taraval line
through the 1950s, or the current silver
and red Breda streetcars of today, you
will enjoy the history described in St.
Cecilia alumnus Frank Dunnigan’s ’66
new book “Growing up in San Francisco’s
Western Neighborhoods”. Dunnigan does
a fabulous job of recalling the unique San
Francisco experience of growing up in the
1950’s and 1960’s when it wasn’t
uncommon to have 40 children living on
the block and you looked forward to the
smell of popcorn the second you walked
through the front door to Sears on
Masonic Avenue. In this edition of St.
Cecilia’s Notes, we sit down with Frank
to talk about the book and his
recollections of growing up in the
Parkside district.
On a simple weekend outing, you were
going to bump in to somebody. We had
all these connections. By the time I got to
St. Ignatius high school my father would
hear the names of people who were my
friends, and immediately say ‘Oh yes, his
dad was a year behind me.’ ‘Oh yes,
Father so and so was a year ahead of me.’
So there were all these people around and
we all had this interconnection - and that
leads to a lot of good stories. When
people know each other that well, and for
that long, it just clicks.
What inspired you to write this book?
I had 5 years of Streetwise columns under
my belt (writing about his experiences for
the Western Neighborhoods Project,
www.outsidelands.org), and a lot of
people kept saying to me, “you really
need to put these in a book.”
What did you think was special about
growing
up
in
the
Western
Neighborhoods that inspired you to
write about it?
Everyone knew and had a connection
with everyone else. Families were large
enough at the time that if we started
talking, I would likely know your sister,
your brother, your brother-in-law’s
cousin, and the people he went to college
with.
Our parents would have a
connection from high school, college, or
the military. When the local population
was all in San Francisco, and most people
lived in the city, the connections were
really quite overwhelming. Everyone
had aunts, uncles, and cousins. My
mother had at least 8 or 9 aunts and
uncles and close to a dozen first cousins
in the city.
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What did you find most interesting or
what surprised you when you were
writing the book?
That a lot of people are into nostalgia. A
lot of Facebook pages deal with growing
up in San Francisco and what we
remember. For the most part, people’s
memories are very positive. Growing up
in the 1950’s was a real good time for a lot
of people. There’s a lot of pleasant
memories; people are willing to share
their memories. When I talk to my
classmates or coworkers or neighbors or
friends or relatives, all I have to do is
throw out a single word and I’ll get
stories.
If I throw out the words
‘Thanksgiving day’ I will hear about
everything from table rituals, to Kezar
football, to the final score of the St.
Ignatius versus Lowell game in 1966 and
exactly what happened in the last 90
seconds of play. People have incredible
memories for detail and the stories are
great once you get them talking.
You dedicate a chapter in the book to
schools in the Western Neighborhoods.
What role do you believe they played in
the neighborhoods and how they
affected children growing up in the
neighborhood?
Again, you went to school with your
neighbors, whether you were in public
school, private schools, or parochial
school, so you tended to know people.
People were incredibly close to one
another. One thing that I did not put in
the book, because it is a rather sad topic,
was back in 1970. I was just out of SI and
that summer there was an absolutely
horrendous car accident on Doyle Drive.
Anyone in my generation will remember
it because everyone who lived in the
Western Neighborhoods knew somebody
who was in that accident. That episode
drew everyone together, as 10 people
were killed immediately and two others
died a few years later from their injuries-one was a classmate of mine from St.
Cecilia's class of 1966. It was just horrible
– you never saw a neighborhood so
devastated.
On a happier note, the
question when you meet someone new
always is “where did you go to school?”
And by that no one means college, no one
means grammar school, they mean high
school.
Was it Washington? Was it
Lincoln? Was it Lowell? Was it Lick
Wilmerding, SI, SH or any of the dozen
girls Catholic schools (that for the most
part no longer exist)?
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Did you learn anything about St.
Cecilia’s in particular when you were
writing the book?
Going back to a column I wrote about
Monsignor Collins in 2010, I learned a lot
about how people used to challenge him
as to why he never built a gymnasium,
and the Durocher Center was always
kind of a dream. Monsignor was very
concerned about the mechanics of the
parish. For example, he knew that if he
took away a portion of that schoolyard
for another building he was going to lose
parking. Now mind you, this was in the
day when the 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, and 12:15
masses were in both the upper and the
lower church. So you had roughly 800
people upstairs and an overflow of 300
downstairs with the entire schoolyard as
a parking lot. He said “I never want to
impact the paying customers because
they’re the ones that foot the bill for the
school.”
That was a very interesting
thing because a lot of pastors would have
said “Yes, we need a gymnasium” or
some other kind of building. But he said
that the time was not right, that we
depend so much on Sunday mass
attendance and the collection to run the
parish, and particularly to run the school.
You never want to upset the paying
customers because the bottom line is that
it will hurt the kids. He had a wonderful
overview of the whole package.
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class. “What happened here? What did
Sister have to say about this?” It was
very effective on those kids who perhaps
weren’t trying as hard as they should
have, even when he saw a declining
grade pattern. “What’s going on, you
had such good grades in September,
October….” You always knew somebody
besides Sister is watching, somebody
besides my parents are watching. The
pastor has been watching - so it
motivated a lot of kids. I have yet to have
anybody tell me they were traumatized
by that. People from St. Cecilia’s always
say they knew people were concerned.
What are some of your fondest
memories of St. Cecilia’s?
The annual festival – that was the focus of
parish life for years at the end of each
October. The other thing we did at St.
Cecilia’s I always remember was public
speaking and stage performances. From
the 1st grade on, there was always
something every year, and it was
something the whole school was involved
in. I can remember putting on plays that
involved biblical stories such as the
descent of the Holy Spirit among the
Apostles. Other times we did more
historical things such as the abdication of
King Edward VIII, or debating issues by
eighth grade of the death penalty, pro and
con - it really did prepare us well for high
school and college.
Also being altar boys and learning a
ritual. Being involved in that ritual in a
very intimate way at the altar certainly
led a lot of people to do things in high
school like being involved in what we
used to call Sodality (and then started
calling it Christian Life Communities).
When I was at St. Ignatius we used to do
things like going to the Little Sisters of
the Poor on Lake Street on Saturday
afternoons and singing. Other groups
taught handicapped kids to swim at
Hamilton Pool or worked at Recreation
Center for the Handicapped near the Zoo.
There was a variety of basic lessons we
learned at St.Cecilia’s that carried over
into later life.
Monsignor was also one of several
pastors who would distribute report
cards personally every 6 weeks, and most
of the time I’ve learned from people in
other parishes that a lot of pastors in
western neighborhoods did that. It was
always fine, all he would look at was the
top grade which was always Religion. As
long as you had a grade of B or better
everything was fine.
There were 3
categories called ‘below the line’ and
those were ‘Deportment’, ‘Courtesy’, and
‘Application’. He would look at Religion
and below the line - anything less than a
B- in any of those, and his eyebrows
would go up. “What has happened?
What is this?” he would say. God forbid
a C or a D in Religion, that would have You make the point in the book that
you interrogated in front of the entire things have always been changing in the
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City.
Exactly. From the time Sir Francis Drake
sailed past the Bay, life for the Ohlone
people began to change. The day the
Spanish missionary Franciscans set up
Mission Dolores in the 1700s created
impact for the native people. When
Mexico declared its independence from
Spain and passed laws ousting all
Spaniards from the same territory, (there
was) huge change for the Spanish
Franciscans and all of the Spaniards who
were here. The Missions certainly fell
into a period of decay. Then fast forward
to the first American settlements in SF
when the first couple of houses built near
Portsmouth Plaza, there was going to be a
city here. There was one house then
another, and a store, and then an office,
and more and more, and in a couple of
years I’m sure people were complaining
of the dust and horse hoofs, and
everything else. The day Mr. Doelger
built his first house in the sand dunes
marked another critical change. I’m sure
there were people who used to come out
and shoot jack rabbits or fly model
airplanes were saying “oh, there goes the
Sunset”. Every single thing is just a little
bit of change - and it’s not necessarily
good, it’s not necessarily bad, but it is
change, and it will impact some people,
and it will impact some people more than
others. That’s what it is, life is all about
change.
What do you think SCs role has been in
an ever changing environment?
Keeping kids on the right path, pursuing
a course of excellence. We count on
Catholic schools to do this nowadays –
it’s the first step on the path if you are
going to college. Catholic school, and
especially St.Cecilia, is a marvelous way
to start because you do get such a well
rounded education--not just in the
classroom but also in the way you treat
people, the way you look at life, in the
way you contribute to your community.
All of those things are stressed from the
lowest grades on. That produces the
mindset in people that they are there to
do things for others.
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Reunions
Saint Cecilia graduates reunite to reminisce
Class of 1953
The Class of 1953 gathered at the Collins Center for their 61st
year reunion. The class reminisced about their days at St.
Cecilia’s with a tour of the school. St. Cecilia would like to
thank the Class of 1953 for their generous donation to the
Alumni Scholarship fund.
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Reunions
Saint Cecilia graduates reunite to reminisce
Class of 1954
On Saturday, October 11th, the St. Cecilia's Class of 1954 held
its 60th Reunion. The affair was a luncheon held at Casa del
Amor, a party venue in Hillsborough. Forty (40) graduates and
their guests attended, along with Sister Michaeline Mary, the
boys 8th grade teacher. (Sister Michaeline Mary celebrated her
90th Birthday on November 27th.)
Mary Griffin Burns, who is a practicing attorney and law
professor, traveled from Chicago, Illinois; and Linda Ashworth,
who is retired from the Holland Symphony Orchestra, traveled
from the South of France.
To say the least, there wasn't the slightest lull in the
conversation, with everyone anxious to catch up on OLD times.
Since most everyone is now retired, the future plans are to have
a yearly "early bird" dinner get-together.
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Reunions
Saint Cecilia graduates reunite to reminisce
Class of 1957
The St Cecilia's Graduating Class of 1957 enjoyed its 57th reunion on Saturday, September
13th. It was a delightful cocktail party at the Collins Center, with delicious food, fun music,
and ample libations, and the remarkable rekindling of friendships that began so long ago,
as little children, remaining strong and connected to this day. Great party, good friends........
We recommend it!
St. Cecilia would also like to thank the Class of 1957 for their generous donation to the
Alumni Scholarship Fund!
Class of 1979
The Class of 1979 celebrated their 35th year reunion on September 20, 2014 in the Collins Center here at St. Cecilia. The class has
come together for a reunion every year 5 years since their 10 year reunion! St. Cecilia would like to thank the Class of 1979 for
their generous donation to the Alumni Scholarship Fund!
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Reunions
Saint Cecilia graduates reunite to reminisce
Class of 1988
The Class of 1988 celebrated their 26th year reunion on May 3rd, 2014 at Original Joe’s in North Beach.
Class of 1984
The Class of 1984 celebrated their 30 year reunion at Boulevard
Cafe on March 22, 2014.
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Reunions
Saint Cecilia graduates reunite to reminisce.
Seniors Come Back!
The Class of 2010 returned to SC for a reunion before heading off to college
Students are attending:
Bucknell
University
Cal
Poly
SLO
Chico
State
University
Cuesta
College
Foothill
Fordham
University
Georgetown
Gonzaga
(2)
Harvard
University
Indiana
University
Loyola
Marymount
University
Northeastern
University
Northwestern
University
Pace
University
(3)
Pitzer
College
Regis
University
Saint
John’s
University
San
Francisco
State
University
Santa
Clara
University
Sonoma
State
University
UC
Berkley
(2)
UC
Davis
UC
Irvine
UC
Riverside
University
of
Arizona
(2)
University
of
Nevada,
Reno
University
of
Oregon
University
of
the
PaciNic
(2)
USD
University
of
Wisconsin
‐
Madison
Villanova
University
Whittier
Reunion News: Save the Date!
Class of 2005: We are looking for a member of the class of
2005 to coordinate your 10 year Reunion!
Class of 1995: We are looking for a member of the class of
2005 to coordinate your 20 year Reunion!
Class of 1965: Representatives from the Class of 1965 are in the
process of planning a 50 year, Golden Diploma, Reunion. For
more information regarding planning and the event, please
contact
coordinators,
Denise
Delclaux
Schwartz
at
[email protected] or Denise Derham Walsh at
[email protected].
Class of 1985: We are looking for a member of the class of
2005 to coordinate your 30 year Reunion!
If you are interested in coordinating your next class reunion, please contact the Alumni office at [email protected]. Not
on a milestone year? No problem! contact the Alumni office and will be glad to help you get started!
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Reunions
Saint Cecilia graduates reunite to reminisce
Congratulations to our newest SC Alumni: St. Cecilia Class of 2014
Graduates are attending
the following high
schools:
Academy of Arts and
Sciences
Archbishop Riordan High
School (5)
Convent of the Sacred
Heart (2)
Drew High School (2)
El Camino High School
Junipero Serra High School
(2)
Loreto Secondary School
(Ireland)
Lowell High School (2)
Mercy High School San
Francisco (4)
Ruth Asawa San Francisco
School of the Arts
Sacred Heart Cathedral
(12)
Saint Ignatius College
Preparatory (28)
San Francisco University
High School
Stuart Hall (4)
Summit Preparatory
Charter High School
Summit Shasta High
School
Terra Nova High School (3)
Children of
Alumni: Class of
2022
Back Row (From Left): Leila Coleman (Kevin Coleman ’91), Mairead Greene (John Greene ’78, Kathleen Fergus ’79), Christina
Moriarty (Matt Moriarty ’83), Carmen Haugh (Jaime Haugh ’84), Gracie Burke (Erin Mulcreevy ’84, Kenneth Burke ’90), Samantha
Jeremi (Rick Jeremi ’85)
Front Row (From Left): Devin Baisman (Juan Baisman ’85), Joe Moriarty (Matt Moriarty ’83), Marc Borzoni (Steven Borzoni ’83),
Evan Barnes (Linda Corry Barnes ’86)
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Wedding Bells For
the Class of 1960
by Bob O’Donnell ’60 and Jo Anne Quinn ’60
The St. Cecilia Class of 1960 held
a reunion in 2010. Following that, some
of the local classmates got together for
informal dinners every so often. Two of
them, Maureen McCarthy and Bob
Hurrell (who met in Kindergarten in 1952
- and completely ignored each other)
reconnected via those dinners. Lo and
Behold, on July 12, 2014, they were
married by Maureen's brother, Michael C.
McCarthy, S.J. ("Father Mick") in St.
Cecilia Church. During the Mass, their
classmates banded together to present the
Offertory Gifts. At the reception, the St.
Cecilia theme continued with two
decorative pigeons gracing the wedding
cake - a tribute to the late Monsignor
Harold E. Collins, who always referred to
his students as “Little Pigeons."
other classmates served
as Eucharistic Ministers.
Following
the
ceremony, a reception
dinner/dance was held
Bride and Groom, Mauren
at the United Irish
McCarthy and Bob Hurrell,
Cultural Center. One of
beaming down the aisle!
the Bride's sisters, Eileen
McCarthy
remarked,
could not have been more gracious and
"Mrs. Hunter was smiling down from generous hosts, and it was very special
Dancing Heaven. Great dancers in that
for all of us to see the amazing River of
Class of 1960! "
Life that started in Kindergarten and has
brought us, over time, back together to
A special pigeon topped wedding
experience this day - seeing those two
cake!
five year-olds in our Kindergarten class
photo, now more mature, and pledging
their lives together for the balance of the
journey. It was inspiring, it was hopeful,
it was beautiful." The Bride and Groom went all
out to make the day both special and
spectacular. The wedding procession was
led by Bagpiper Michael LeBouf,
resplendent in kilts.
The Mass and
Ceremony was accompanied by the
beautiful music of a brass/flute/pianoorgan ensemble. The Bride was escorted
down the aisle by her amazing 94 yearold Mom, Mary McCarthy, and Father Bob O'Donnell commented, "It
Mick. Gospel readings were presented by was definitely a 'twofer' day. How often
classmates and family members, and can you combine a very happy wedding
with a class reunion? Maureen and Bob
Jerry Fleming observed, "The
bride and groom were resplendent with
joy--really looked so happy and very in
love...and the joy they gave off was
contagious. The reception at the Irish
Cultural Center was beyond wonderful:
great food, a very, very good LIVE band,
dancing
(Maureen's
elegant
mom
included!),
and
schmoozing
with
wonderful Class of '60 mates, all
handsome men and beautiful women,
their dates or partners equally dashing/
Top row: Maury Wolohan, Bob Marquise,
Ramona Gallegos, Lucene Thomason, Bob
Lucchesi, Chuck Johnson.
Middle Row: The Couple of the Day, Joanne
Hicks, Kathy Klingenberg, Patty Walsh, Dan
O'Farrell, Ron O'Connor, Kathy McDevitt,
Jody Degnnaro, Tom O'Toole.
Bottom Row: Nancy Sarlatte, Bob
Schumann, Rosalie Savano,
Dan Maguire, Pattie Jones, Jerry Fleming,
Bob O'Donnell.
(Other Pigeon Guests not in this photo:
Kent Eagleson and John Kelleher.)
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lovely, of course. What great, authentic Klingenberg took it on and even brother Mick said, "I understand some
people we went to school with -- as distributed an instructional card! On the classmates from the Class of 1960 will be
though we needed to be reminded?"
altar, Bob was holding my hand when my bringing up the gifts." No one moved for
a minute and then ... a large group of The
Tom O'Toole noted, "The entire
Most Beautiful People In the World stood
event was punctuated with constant,
up and came down the aisle - Tommy
beaming smiles from everyone who
O'Toole and Diane Fox leading with the
attended."
bread and wine. It was so moving and
there were very few dry eyes. Patty Walsh
And best of all, from the Bride
said she didn't think she'd make it
herself:
because she was so choked up. It is the
"Most importantly? The Pigeons
most precious picture Bob and I will carry
bringing up the gifts at Communion time.
in our heads and hearts for as long as we
Tom O’Toole & Diane Fox bring the
Offertory forward
It was just an idea. Classmate Kathy
live."
Alumni Hours at the Festival
The parish festival here at St. Cecilia is always a fantastic and
fun-filled weekend that the parish, school and alumni
community are all welcome to enjoy. The 2014-2015 theme was
St. Cecilia’s Hawaiian Luau Festival and, for the first time,
alumni were honored in a special way. All alumni in
attendance were invited to stop by the Welcome Alumni table
to receive a special commemorative button, festive lei, and free
game ticket! The Alumni Association was incredibly pleased
with the turnout of alumni who proudly wore their alumni pins
and leis! Stay up to date with information on next year’s event
with our e-newsletters and special alumni mailings!
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Reps from Nodality Inc. and
Tradecraft.
Alums with resumes at the ready!
S
Alums dressed to impress!
Continued from page 2
it is in our current economy.
Job
experience can give a new candidate that
edge they need to show what they can do,
“Second, we hear constant feedback from
parents on how
difficult it is to get
local summer jobs
and internships.
Lastly, it struck us
how
important
something
like
this would have
been to us when
we were in high
school
and
Salesforce
college.”
thinking about it for a couple of weeks, I Riordan and Frank Cassidy, realized an
went back and told Frank that I thought untapped potential in our SC family. The
he was right
Alumni Association would
and we should
like to thank the Men of St.
Cecilia for establishing this
amazing event and all of the
companies who participated
with jobs, internships and
information!
Many times great
things evolve from mere associations,
which is another attractive reason for
this day and, interestingly, the way
the day was inspired. Again cofounder, Mike Riordan, “It was not
really my idea. Frank Cassidy (Fellow
Men of St. Cecilia Member) and I
McGuire Real Estate
were discussing a few things and he
mentioned the idea, as he had just
hired an SC alum. Right off the bat, I
said ‘Naw, won't work’. But, after give it a try.“ And so we are strengthened
by our community. Founders, Mike
Not able to make it to this
event? Join us next year!
Whether you are a potential
employer or graduate from
the past 10 years, we would
love to see you at the next
SC Graduate Job & Career
Fair! Please stay connected at
www.facebook.com/stceciliaschool
for updates on future events. Also
please ensure that you receive future
communications by updating your
e-mail address with our Alumni
Director, Veronica Granucci ’04 at
[email protected] or by
phone at 415-753-3917.
Alum rep from Fontanello Duffield
and Otake LLP
Alum rep from Gilardi & Co. LLC
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Genentech
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Did You Note?
Alumni Updates
1940s
Vincent (Vince) Senatore ’49: is enjoying the retired life. However, he has been faced with the quandary - “how did I get
so much done when I was working, since there is hardly time to
get things done now.” He has children and grandchildren - high school, having had the opportunity to do academic travel
to London and Paris and then later spend a summer with a
some in the Bay Area and some in Maryland.
crew team in Germany. In college, she studied abroad in Spain,
Mexico, and Argentina. Aside from San Francisco, Spain has
1960s
since been the other place that has stolen her heart. Upon
Col. Anthony Aldwell ’64: is currently the Chief Operating graduating college, Alexa started an events production
Officer for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Pentagon in company based between Barcelona and San Francisco called
Washington D.C.
A.C.E. Events. She have recently relocated indefinitely to San
Francisco and now has a clothing line called Dué, which is
Tom Keck ’65: entered St. Cecilia in 1957 graduated in 1965 and based out of Naples, Italy… and she no longer wishes to marry
is so glad the school is doing well today. Now he is working for Prince William! ;-).
the DOD on Type-1 Encryption for land, and air vehicles to
communicate in all theaters of operation. Tom still believes we Jennifer Zeidan ’01: After graduating
from St. Cecilia, Jennifer studied at
are all the finest, greatest and the best wherever we are!
Mercy High School, where she was
student body president, then Santa
1970s
Clara University, where she double
Aaron Low '74: After St. Cecilia, Aaron studied at St. Ignatius
majored in Communication and Studio
College Preparatory where he ran all 4 years in cross country
Art, emphasizing in video production
and track. Then City College of San Francisco (started before
and graphic design. An internship with
graduating SI) where he earned his associates degree in Cisco Systems led to a full time position
computer science. He graduated from California State as a production engineer for Cisco TV,
University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Science in computer where she was the youngest engineer by
science. He was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the at least 15 years and the only female in her division. In August
United States Marine Corps. He served his initial contract and 2013, Jennifer moved on as a broadcast engineer for Al Jazeera
worked for DuPont for several years. He worked at several Media Network, specifically Al Jazeera America and AJ+, the
companies (fortune 500, small, public, and private) in various company’s two newest channels. She have been afforded the
positions up to Chief Information/Technology Officer. He tremendous opportunity to lead discussions and help project
continued service in USMC reserves. Where he was mobilized manage the launch of AJ+ and looks forward to growing with
several occasions after 9-11 for over 4 years. He retired as a the Al Jazeera Media Network. Lieutenant Colonel. He is currently the program manager of SF
Connected (installed, maintain, and provide training over 250 Selby Souza ’06: A proud alumni of Mercy High School San
computers in over 55 different technical labs in senior technical Francisco, Class of 2010, Selby Souza is a recent graduate from
labs across SF for seniors and persons with disabilities) at the the University of Southern California, Class of 2014, where she
graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, emphasis in
City and County of San Francisco. Scenic Design. Currently, she lives back in the Bay Area where
she has been working in a year long Fellowship at the American
2000s
Conservatory Theatre in the Properties Department for the
Alexa Contreras ’01: Since 2014-2015 Season.
graduating from SC, Alexa went
on to SI and later onto Send your updates to [email protected] with the
University of San Diego, where subject Alumni Update. Remember to include your name, year
she graduated with a double of graduation, and a sentence or two about yourself. You are
major in Spanish literature and also more than welcome to include a picture of yourself and
international relations. She got your current activities to add to your alumni update! We look
bit by the travel bug early on in forward to hearing from you!
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Continued from page 7
After all of your research for the book
and reflection on the information you
have gathered, what do you think the
future
holds
for
the
Western
Neighborhoods?
Thriving. I come back once or twice a
year and it astounds me that certain little
things are changing - all for the better.
Yes I might be missing my favorite bakery
on Taraval or a store on West Portal might
not be there, but Presto! We have a center
divide on 19th Avenue that has plants in
it. Things like more money being spent
on parks and playgrounds, the City such
as Muni expanding to the point that you
can get anywhere from anywhere now--a
lot of good things are going on.
It is a beautiful, desirable city to live in
and there’s a price that comes with that.
But I think people find a way to do it.
Sometimes they go off to other places but
they do take a very strong sense of place
with them from SF. That in itself is a good
thing because no matter where they end
up they still say they’re San Franciscans
(and I do). People understand what that
means - you’ve grown up in a city full of
history and diversity. You’re pretty much
a happy camper even though you’re not
living there anymore. You still have a
pretty positive outlook on life.
Frank Dunnigan’s book “Growing up in
the Western Neighborhoods” is now in its
second printing and is available locally,
through Amazon.com, the DeYoung and
Legion of Honor gift shops, and also
through the Western Neighborhoods
Project at http://www.outsidelands.org/
store.php#growingup.
Join Frank for upcoming book talks at
the following SF library branches: Sunset
Branch- March 5, 7-8:30 p.m., Parkside
Branch-March 10, 7-8:30 p.m., Anza
Branch-March 14,2-3:30 p.m. and Merced
Branch-March 18, 7-8:30pm. You can also
read his monthly column “Streetwise” on
the Western Neighborhoods Project
website at www.outsidelands.org.
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In Memoriam
2014
John Rainsford, February 9, 2014, brother
Myriam Gomez ‘85, January 1, 2014, of Michael ’83
sister of Adine ’81
Angus Brunner, March 22, 2014, father of
Sr. Bernice Breen ’44, January 11. 2014, Brigid ’84 & Kevin ’78
Alumni
sister of Matthew’42, John ‘48, Joseph ’48 Peter Farragher, June 13, 2014, father of
(deceased), Claire ’50
Patrick ’80 & Marcella ’74
Cheryl Whooley Kramer ‘85, July 4, 2014, John Buick, June17, 2014, father of James
wife of Kevin ’80; sister of Donna ’83
’65, John ’66 (deceased), Sally ’68
William McDonagh ‘63, August 26, 2014, (deceased), Ann ’69, Daniel ’71, Peter ’73
husband of Kathleen ’65; father of (deceased), Lorna ’74, Paul ’75 (deceased)
William III ’87, Meghan ’89, Micaela ’96, Jeanne ’76, Michael ’78; grandfather of
Jason ’94, Sarah ’96, Ryan ’05
Christie ’00
Georgena Sullivan Spivak ’59, August Dennis Kray, July 4, 2014, brother of Kim
’53
28, 2014
Carolyn LeTourneau ’56, September 21, Evan Kelly, July 29, 2014, nephew of Kim
2014, sister of Robert ’60 & aunt of Robert ’70
’03
Lucille Feeney, August 2, 2014, mother of
Albert Thuesen Jr. ’53, October 24, 2014, Kathleen ’60, Sheila ’61, Thomas ’63,
Teresa ’63, John ’66, Michael, Patricia
brother of Mary (Lourdes) ’53 & Jim ’57
Teresa Dioso Payne ’81, October 31, 2014 Richard Collopy, August 14, 2014, father
of Lenore ’63, Richard ’65 (deceased),
sister of Marc ’80
Claire ’66, James ’68 (deceased), Ann,
Anne Marie Ritter ’84, November 24, Arlene ’75
2014 daughter of Lloyd ‘52 (deceased),
Naomi Eagleson, August 25, 2014,
niece of Mary Alice ’57
mother of Kent ’60, Maureen ’61, Kevin
Leo Dinneen ’55, November 30, 2014, ’62, Brian ’63
brother of Sr. Ann Dinneen ’53 (deceased)
Albert Rodgers, November 11, 2014, wife
of Karen ’54 (deceased)
Family
Martin John Tunney, December 19, 2013, Mary McCarthy, November 19, 2014,
uncle of Mary’ 82, Beth ’83 Teresa ’90
Mary Ellen, Andrew, John, Jim, Tim ’75,
Kevin ’77, Theresa ’79
Lynn Maddan, January 9, 2014, mother of
Particia ’89, Heather ’91, Michael ’93, Lawrence A. Johnson, November 20,
Alexis ’97
2014, grandfather of Mairead ’04,
William Diaz, January 15, 2014, father of Brendan ’06, Catherine ’09
Frank Diaz ’86
Laura Busby, December 4, 2014, mother
of Joseph ’80, Seamus ’83, Brian ’87,
Fiona Matza, January 21, 2014, Patrick
Cathy ‘88
Matza ’98
Stefan Pietraszek, February, 5, 2014,
father of Monika ’80 & Stefania ’79
Kathleen Canepa, February 8, 2014,
grandmother of Nicole ’03 & Brianne ’94
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Alumni Notes is published once a year by the Alumni Office of
St. Cecilia School
Editor in Chief
Veronica Granucci ’04
Contributer
Lilly Angelopoulos ’85
Article Contributers
Brian Adler ’85
Bob O’Donnell ’60
Jo Anne Quinn ’60
Are you interested in becoming a board member? Or writing
an article for our next edition of Alumni Notes? We would
love to hear from you! The Alumni newsletter is completely
created and edited by the the St. Cecilia Alumni Board, all of
whom are alumni themselves. We rely wholly upon the
alumni submissions and ideas to make this newsletter
possible. Please contact Alumni Director, Veronica Granucci
’04, at [email protected] for more information on
becoming a member or contributing the newsletter. Thank
you for all your support!
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Alumni Board of Directors
Brian Adler ’85
Lilly Uribe Angelopoulos ’85
Greg Callaghan ’00
Marian Mulkerrins Connelly ’75
Barbara Welch Chionsini ’62
Veronica Granucci ’04
Siobhan Howard Haskell ’86
Sue Wilson Holland ’73
Sister Margaret Kinzie
Aaron Low ’74
Erin O’Brien ’97
Nancy Palacios ’01
Chris Robinson Salfiti ’75
Sophia Salfiti ’00
Alumni Director
Veronica Granucci ’04 at [email protected] or
415-753-3917
Join us on Facebook! Visit www.facebook.com/stceciliaschool
and keep up with news about your Alma Mater!
2015 Donor Form St. Cecilia Mothers' Club Fundraiser
Saturday, March 21, 2015 - Durocher Pavilion
CASINO ROYALE
www.stceciliaschool.org/casinoroyale
St. Cecilia Non-Profit Tax I.D. # 94-1156785
All proceeds directly benefit the students at St. Cecilia School
Donor Name:_________________________________________________________________________ Donation Amount:________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________________________ City:_______________________________ Zip:_______________
Phone Number:_________________________________ Email:__________________________________________________________ Alumnus, Class of ______________
ONLINE CREDIT CARD DONATIONS (Visa/MC/Amex/Discover): Please go to our website to make your donation: www.stceciliaschool.org/casinoroyale
CHECK: Please make check payable to: St. Cecilia Mothers' Club, 660 Vicente Street, San Francisco, California 94116 • 415-731-8400
Sponsorship
Auction Donation
Ad In Program
For information on these three ways of giving, please visit www.stceciliaschool.org/casinoroyale!
Thank you for your generoisty!
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St. Cecilia School
660 Vicente Street
San Francisco, CA 94116-3077
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
If this newsletter is addressed to a son
or daughter who no longer live in your
home, please contact Veronica Granucci,
Alumni
Director,
by
e-mail
at
[email protected] or by phone
at (415) 753-3917 to give the correct
address. Thank You!
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Make a Note
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April 26
Alumni Mass and Gathering
March 21
Class of 2011 Reunion
Please join us for our annual event! This year
our lower church reception will again follow the
5PM Saturday Vigil Mass!
Casino Royale
The students from the Class of 2011 are invited
back to SC to catch up with old classmates and
share about the future. Invitation to follow.
Get ready for this year’s Mother’s
Fundraiser! For more info please
www.stceciliaschool.org/casinoroyale
Club
visit
March 7
May 29
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
April 17, 18 & 19
Graduation
The 35th annual St. Patrick’s Dinner and Concert
will be held on Saturday March 7th in the
Durocher Pavilion at 6:00pm.
Mulan
Friday, May 30, 2014 at 7:00 pm our eighth
graders, the Class of 2015, will receive their St.
Cecilia diplomas and become official alumni.
Alumni Notes
The St. Cecilia Drama Club presents the spring
musical! For more information & tickets please
visit www.stceciliaschool.org.
Winter 2014/2015