Updates from the 2017 Update #2

Imhof, Sharon Jennings ’62

I have been retired from teaching for 12 years!  I keep busy with my grandchildren’s events, as a board member on the Traverse City Historical Society and working on my family’s history.  In Sept I am going to Ireland with my cousins!

McAuley Impact Q:  Two things stand out as having a huge impact on me while at McAuley.  First, the Christian value system that I was immersed in.  It reinforced the values I was taught at home and formed my values for the rest of my life.  #2.  The excellent education I received that prepared me for college and life beyond.  As teaching became my chosen profession, I realized how blessed I was to have such excellent educators as the Sisters of Mercy for my high school years.

How McAuley was chosen Q:  I attended grade school at OLPH and it just seemed natural to move next door to McAuley with most of the girls in my class.  Girls schools were “in” those days and how cool to have one in my neighborhood!

Schemenaur, Susan Flax ’64

McAuley’s impact Q:  With out my teachers and friends at McAuley I would never have believed in my abilities as a person.  My time at McAuley was precious and I am very grateful for my time there.

McAuley chosen Q:  I chose McAuley.  It was the only school I wanted to attend.

Kniep, Mary Kniep-Hardy ’66

I still live in Rochester, NY.  I continue to work as a geriatric/psychiatric nurse practitioner in a large nursing home.  My 3 sons and their families are doing well.

McAuley impacted Q:  I thought the school was a positive force in my life, especially by exposing me to bright women, often masters prepared in their field, who were excited about teaching and about their fields of expertise.

McAuley chosen Q:  My parents chose it for me.

Osterhage, Kathryn Carpeaux ’67

Blessed with our 6th grandchild.  Will even the count at 3 girls and 3 boys!  Downsized to a patio home which backs up to a green space.  Purging as been great!

Walker, Susanne Maruskin ’67

McAuley chosen Q:  I wanted to attend Central Catholic.  My parents nixed that because of the time it would take to get there (would have involved bus transfer).   My older sister Marsha was at McAuley so…. I’m glad I followed her.  I would not have met such wonderful, fun women.

Pezzin, Debra’69

McAuley chosen Q:  Went to school next door at OLPH.  It was just assumed & all friends also transitioned.

Straub, Cindy ’69

McAuley impacted life Q:  Yes, I learned about being a leader and trying to make positive changes.  I learned about friendships and how important they are and the importance of having a diverse group of friends.

McAuley chosen Q:  It was chosen by my parents.  Yes, I grew very quickly to love McAuley

Nowacki, Sandra Suter ’70

McAuley chosen Q:  My mom and dad felt that I would get a better education going to a Catholic high school.  McAuley was the most affordable of all the Catholic high schools at that time.  I was also given the opportunity to work in the cafeteria during lunch hour to defray my cost of education.

Harantha, Catherine Talda ’76

McAuley impacted Q:  Absolutely!  I loved that I could be just me without worrying about what boys/guys would have thought.  I believe McAuley is a part of why I am a confident woman and why I excelled in H.S. and college.  I wouldn’t change the experience AT ALL!

McAuley chosen Q:  We (my family) moved to Toledo in June 1972 from NJ.  Our neighbors across the street had daughters attending McAuley, including one that would be starting as a freshman like me.  They recommended the school.  My mom made an appointment.  St Catherine was the principal at the time.  I think the two of us in H.S. at the time also went (Karen & myself).  My mom did not go to the appt.  Intending to enroll us but at one point schedules were being put together for my sister and me and it became a done deal.  My parents must have been happy as my three younger sisters also attended (Margaret, Jean and Elizabeth).  My oldest sister (Susan) was already in college when we arrived in Toledo.  I have so many great and fond memories of my time and classmates at McAuley.  I am grateful to be an alum.

Sheehy, Maureen ’80

McAuley impacted Q:  I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but in hindsight I realized that an all-female setting for high school allowed me to not fixate on my appearance or competition over boys.  I believe it gave me greater self-confidence then and later in life.

Smith, Dina Biglin ’83

I just returned to work after many years as a stay @ home mom.  I love it!  It was an easier transition than I thought – so happy I made the leap!

McAuley impacted Q:  Completely!  My time at McAuley prepared me for college, grad school, the working world and being a mom.  It taught me how to value good friendships.

McAuley chosen Q:  It was a decision made with my parents and I’m so thankful they were so supportive.

Joyce, Mary Reed ’85 (Update that Missed the Newsletter)

1)  Do you believe that your time at McAuley impacted your life in a significantly positive way; and if so how?   I do. I learned so much at McAuley, and made some good friends. I learned to manage my time efficiently and it has stayed with me to this day. I took Mrs. Gray’s English History class and fell in love with England, that in 2004 I went to England to see some of the things I learned about.

2)  How did you come to choose McAuley as your high school?  If it was your parents’ choice, did you grow to love McAuley?  I ENJOYED McAuley. I had an older sister who went and loved it, and I just followed in her footsteps.

Nekoranec, Ruth ’83 (Update that missed the newsletter)

Question #2: How did you come to choose McAuley….?:  My cousins had attended and I always thought I would as well.

Barker, Mary Jo Borel ’75 (Update that missed the Newsletter)

Working full-time in our company business keeps me busy all the time. Appreciated all the prayer support from my McAuley sisters when my husband had heart surgery in August. He is doing fantastically well. My daughter Caitlin is starting graduate school to get her masters in administration. She will be working hard teaching full time and taking classes too. My daughter Bridget is now the head sous chef at the country club where she works. So proud of them both and the lovely women they have become.

     1)  Do you believe that your time at McAuley impacted your life in a significantly positive way; and if so how?   Absolutely. The friendships made, the education received, have helped me through my whole life.

2)  How did you come to choose McAuley as your high school?  If it was your parents’ choice, did you grow to love McAuley? It was never really a question. My sister went there and I was always going to go there. So glad I did.

Taylor, Vicki Bertka ’75 (Update that missed the Newsletter)

Last year I reported that my husband had a new job in Wisconsin but, it was eliminated, the network closed, he moved back to Holland, OH at the end of December ’16.  His mom’s house sold, ours didn’t , she had to move in with us.  Ken now has a new job in Allentown, PA and started the end of March.  We’re doing kitchen reno, put in wood floors and will sell (by auction) hopefully, May ’17.  We can all be together again.  Sadly our first grandson was stillborn August ’16.  Praying for more grandchildren.

Question #1:  McAuley impacted….?:  McAuley gave me the opportunity to push myself with classroom work but also to learn how to be a leader and organizer.

Question #2:  How did you come to choose McAuley…?:  My choice.  I wanted to attend a Catholic HS and had to work after school and summers to work off tuition.  Best investment of my time.

Mohler, Renee Weaver ’74 (Update that missed the Newsletter)

I have a new grandson – October 5, 2016

Question #1:  McAuley Impact…?:  McAuley helped me learn to appreciate the arts and religion.  The art classes were enjoyable.  Spanish class was awesome and actually assisted in understanding English more.  The religion class based on world religions was educational.  Algebra 1 was excellent too.  My favorite classes and teachers were these.

 

Moore, Mary Anne Cullum ’69 (Update that missed the Newsletter)

Gary and I have been married 45 yrs in May.  We so enjoy our time traveling throughout the USA and Ireland.  We are having a blast with our 8 grandkids, Maddie (18), Grant (15), Noah (12), Sawyer (10), Cassidy (10), Isabella (2) and Ethan 8 months.

Question #1:  McAuley impact….?:  I loved McAuley!

Question #2:  I went to OLPH so most of the girls from my class went to McAuley.  It was great!

Ivan, Adele Luczak ’68 (Update that missed the Newsletter)

Question #1:  McAuley impact…?:  More religious.

Question #2:  How did you come to choose McAuley…?:  I knew a neighbor who when there.  I did not want the Notre Dame nuns to teach me another 4 years.

Borowiak, Ruth Ann Bowser ’65 (Update that missed the Newsletter)

I am the Vice-President of the Washington Local Schools Retirees Group; I’m in the 4th yr of doing it.  My husband was in the Army.  He is PX Manager for his OV-1 Mohawk Assoc.;  I help him with the Bkg. duties involved.

Question #1:  McAuley impact…?:  Because of the academic program I learned how to study properly.  I took business subjects @ McAuley.  After that, I went to Davis Business College and rec’d my associate degree.  I was able to get a job at Owens-Illinois as a secretary.

Question #2:  How did you come to choose McAuley….?:  I attended St. Clement Grade School.  We had the Mercy nuns as teachers.  My 8th grade teacher, St. Mary Carlene, told me about McAuley HS and I really loved the Mercy nuns.  McAuley was almost a brand new school, that seemed quite appealing to me.

 

Nadeau, Linda Gogol ’65 (Update that missed the Newsletter)

My son Kenneth is now a Registared Pharmacist.

Question #2:  How did you come to choose McAuley…?:  My sister Sharon Nadeau Shepard was in the 1963 class.  I got to know McAuley through her activities there.