In This Edition
- Reunion Updates
- News & Events
- Mercy in Our World
- Roll Call
- Skippers Remembered
- From Your Alumnae Archives
- Mercy Girls Today
|
|
|
Please note that Mercy's campus is currently closed as mandated by California state and local governments to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
THIS EMAIL MAY BE CLIPPED. TO VIEW THE ENTIRE NEWSLETTER, CLICK ON "VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE" AT THE BOTTOM
|
|
Class of 1960 - 60th Reunion
Class of 1970 - 50th Reunion
Pre-cruise "Land Reunion"
Cruise Reunion
|
|
Class of 1975 - 45th Reunion
- Contact Lorrie Fogarty
- Saturday, Sep. 19, 12-4 p.m. (Subject to reschedule per COVID-19)
- Harding Park Clubhouse
Class of 1980 - 40th Reunion
Class of 1985 - 35th Reunion
Class of 1990 - 30th Reunion
Class of 2010 - 10th Reunion
|
|
Become a Class Coordinator!
It is time to start planning our 2020 reunions! We need alumnae to serve as class coordinators and organize their class gatherings!
|
|
- Class of 1960 - 60 years*
- Class of 1965 - 55 years
- Class of 1970 - 50 years*
- Class of 1975 - 45 years*
- Class of 1980 - 40 years*
- Class of 1985 - 35 years*
|
|
- Class of 1990 - 30 years*
- Class of 1995 - 25 years
- Class of 2000 - 20 years
- Class of 2005 - 15 years
- Class of 2010 - 10 years*
- Class of 2015 - 5 years
|
|
The Alumnae Office will be as supportive as it can for as long as it is able in regards to reunions. We need
to secure class representatives so that we can create a viable alumnae association for the future.
*Planning underway!
|
|
Alumnae Wishes for Class of 2020
Due Tomorrow, May 15
On May 18, Mercy will induct the Class of 2020, juniors, sophomores, and frosh into the Mercy Alumnae Association during a virtual school assembly. All students will be commissioned as "Women of Mercy" and encouraged to live out the charism of the Sisters of Mercy as they begin the next chapter in their lives at new schools in the fall.
On May 30, our seniors graduate and will experience this milestone through a virtual graduation ceremony.
We invite you to share your thoughts, wishes, and words of wisdom for the Class of 2020 and the rest of the student body, by filling out
this form. We would like to incorporate quotes from our beloved alumnae throughout the end-of-year assemblies, celebrations, and ceremonies. As you know, this semester has been far from normal for the students, faculty, and staff so as we continue to “do things differently” we invite you to keep the Mercy spirit alive by sharing your love with our student Skippers. Please also feel free to email me photos from your graduation or other memorable times at Mercy.
|
|
A Message From Mercy Alumnae:
Help Us Recognize the Class of 2020
As alumnae, we would like to give a meaningful gift to the last graduating class of Mercy High School. Apple has agreed to provide us with a 15 percent discount so we would like to purchase a worthy gift to acknowledge their achievement and welcome them to our ranks.
Every graduate would receive a high value Apple gift card, but if we meet our goal, we can give each student an iPad. If we exceed our goal we would still provide additional Apple gift cards for accessories and apps. Please be assured that ALL the money raised in this effort will go towards the girls’ graduation gifts.
Mercy will distribute this alumnae gift to the Class of 2020 on graduation day, May 30.
If you can please make a donation—however large or small—BY MAY 20—we can make graduation! And, we will ensure your name and graduating year is included on the congratulations card.
All contributions are tax deductible, so give your gift to the Class of 2020 today!
To pay by check, please send to the following address and POSTMARK by May 15:
SD Mayer Foundation, 235 Montgomery Street, 30th Floor San Francisco, CA 94104
This gift is intended for and will only be used for this graduating class. If we don’t meet our goal, we will provide Apple gift cards to each graduate. This fundraiser is being managed by alumnae, not Mercy High School, for the sole purpose of providing a fun and useful device to mark this important milestone. All questions should be directed to the alumnae group at
skippergift2020@gmail.com.
|
|
Mercy Sweatshirt Order Update
Sweatshirt orders placed BEFORE February 20:
- For those that paid for shipping: We are in the process of packing and shipping your orders this week! Hooray!
- For those that selected pickup: We are still working on a solution since shipping costs for all of these orders are an issue for us. We will reach out to you again separately within a week. I do want to thank you for choosing pickup because you’re local, but apologize that your orders are now more complicated—we of course just didn’t anticipate a global pandemic and total shutdown :(
Sweatshirt orders placed AFTER February 20:
Good news! Our vendor was able to resume business this week. We expect your orders to come in at the end of May.
- For those that paid for shipping: We will be able to start shipping orders once we receive them from our vendor. We will continue to update you with any new information regarding that timeline.
- For those that selected pickup: We are still working on a solution since shipping costs for all of these orders are an issue for us. We will reach out to you again separately. I do want to thank you for choosing pickup because you’re local, but apologize that your orders are now more complicated—we of course just didn’t anticipate a global pandemic and total shutdown :(
|
|
“Missing” Alumnae Class Lists
The Alumnae Office is working on compiling class lists of alumnae for whom no email and/or mailing addresses are on record. If you see yourself or someone you know on one of these lists, please contact the Alumnae Office. We hope to fill in as much missing information as possible before Mercy closes in June.
|
|
One Last Look at Mercy…
ileta Joseph Sumner '80 submitted an essay about what Mercy has meant to her over the last 40 years. It's a moving and authentic reflection of how Mercy quite literally saved her life. She shared that 40 years ago this month, her valedictory began with a single word: “Chrysalis.” It was followed by a long pause...and then a definition of the word and how the graduates of the Class of 1980 were undergoing their own Chrysalis. This could not be a more appropriate word as Mercy prepares to graduate its final class in two weeks.
The Chrysalis
, by ileta Sumner '80
Chrysalis. It is a pretty, melodic word that was the opening of my Valedictory address. At that time, I was using it as a metaphor for the changes we underwent entering Mercy as girls and leaving as women. As I was wandering through my memories of my days at Mercy, my sons asked me why I was in such a pensive state (OK. What they really said was, “What’s wrong with you, Mom?” but I used my immense talent of ESP to translate it into their deeper thought). I told them that I was trying to sum up my experiences in high school. My older son replied, “Ugh! I would hate to do that!” I was somewhat shocked as to why. My hubby interjected, “ileta, you didn’t have dyslexia like both of our adopted boys (from different families even [!]) and you didn’t have multiple documented learning disabilities like our sons. They have a great family to come home to where you didn’t. Your school was your family.”
|
|
Sisters of Mercy in the News
In light of the current situation the world is facing, some interesting articles have been written about how the Sisters of Mercy and other women religious have played critical roles in past pandemics.
|
|
Help Identify Valedictorian of Your Graduating Class
Were you valedictorian of your class or do you remember who was? Mercy would like to compile a complete list of our valedictorians for our alumnae records.
We are still missing these years:
- 60s: 1962
- 80s: 1989
- 00s: 2000, 2006
|
|
Mercy in Our World
Alumnae Living Out Mercy's Mission
|
|
How do you live out Mercy’s mission every day?
What values from Mercy are you bringing to your community? How do you address the critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy—volunteering in your church community, donating time to the homeless, assisting as a mentor, advocating for the marginalized and disenfranchised?
We want to share your “Mercy” to inspire others to do the same!
Please share your story for
Mercy In Our World by emailing Georgia Wasley '09, Alumnae Development Officer, at
gwasley@mercyhs.org.
|
|
Roll Call
Grads who have recently "checked in"
|
|
Bernadette Furnanz Sweeny '57
Photo: This photo was taken at my home in February before we knew the Shelter-in-Place was coming. It is of several classmates from the Class of 1957. Many of us have kept in touch over the years. Sometimes many years go by and sometimes just a few, but something always draws us together again. This time it was the announcement of the closing of the school.
|
Front row seated left to right are Teresa Ramirez Fiorini, Rita O'Brien Barichievich, standing left to right Joan Corey, Sharon Haught, Jean Engler Etcheverry, Bernadette Furnanz Sweeney, Lucille Fisher Sharman, Joan Aragone, Peggy Smith Prescott, Nancy Murphy Wright, Andrea Libby.
Janice Nett Robinson '59
Current City: Windsor, CA
Friah Leuterio Rogers '60
Current City: Eugene, OR
Sandra Corsi Butterworth '64
Job Title: Real Estate Agent at Sibcy Cline Realtors
Current City: Lebanon, OH
|
Sheila O’Hara '72
Photos:
My weaving “Global Healing”
—apropos at this time!
And Mercy Girl Lunch at Chaiya in San Francisco on Dec. 28, 2019 - L to R: Pat Lucas, Patti Archbold Martin, Robyn Stuhr, Peggy da Silva, Sheila O'Hara, Gemma O'Keeffe, home with a cold Mo Mylett Torres.
|
|
Myrna Harris '76
Current City: Seattle, WA
Paulina Gonzalez Crowell '86
Current City: Santa Rosa, CA
Cherise Moore '88
Job Title: Principal Consultant/Project Director for American Institutes for Research
Current City: Santa Clarita, CA
Update: I recently became a grandmother!
Francesca Felizzatto Moore '90
Job Title: Special Education Teacher for San Mateo County of Education
Current City: Pacifica, CA
Cheryl Villanueva '93
Job Title: Real Estate Agent at Compass
Current City: San Francisco, CA
Photo:
|
Dora Lee '03
Current City: Briarcliff Manor, NY
Selby Souza '10
Job Title: Set Designer (Freelancer)
Current City: Daly City, CA/New York, NY
Estefany Gonzalez '14
Job Title: Customer Service/Sales for State Farm
Current City: Emeryville, CA
Nicollette Notgrass '15
Job Title: Daycare Provider at Little Critters
Current City: San Francisco, CA
|
|
Suzanne La Rocco Scheppler '61
May 10, 1943 - April 28, 2020
Sue was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Dorothy and Paul La Rocco on May 10, 1943 and passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on April 28, 2020 after a valiant struggle with Thymic Cancer. She is survived by her husband Bob of nearly 58 years, sister Paula, brother Larry, and sister-in-law Nancy. She was a graduate of Mercy High School in San Francisco and attended Arizona State College in Flagstaff, Arizona.
|
|
Angela Maestri Calabrese '67
January 8, 1949 - April 21, 2020
Angela Maestri Calabrese died unexpectedly April 21, 2020 at her home. She was born January 8, 1949 to Barbara (Ashe) Maestri and Angelo Maestri.
|
|
Marlene Callejas '75
October 5, 1957 - May 4, 2020
Marlene Theresa Callejas, 62, passed away on May 4, 2020 after battling with Ovarian Cancer. She is survived by her mother Theresa, 83, her sister Rosalinda, 61, and her only daughter Michele (Michi) Ayse-Theresa Callejas Karakas, 27.
|
|
From
Your
Alumnae Archives
|
|
From the Archive of:
Donna Hill Labagh '71
Graduation gown distribution day
Left to Right: LouAnn Mazzetti, Donna Hill Labagh. Still BFFs to this day!
|
|
|
From the Archive of:
Joan Battaglia Maxwell '79
|
|
Left to Right: Joan Battaglia, Theresa Gamba, Patsy McLoughlin, Chris Steffan, Alice McKeever
|
|
Left to Right Bottom: Doreen O'Keefe, Joan Battaglia, Debbie Bernard, Laura Maineri Top: Daria Giannarelli, Jonelen Murray, Dana Costello, Carol Winenow
|
|
Left to Right Lori Brandt, Lynn Van Tricht, Margaret O'Sullivan
|
|
Daria Giannarelli ripping up the skirt.
|
|
From the Archive of:
Stefani Giraudo Soares '81
|
|
Share Your Mercy Memories With Us!
We have a special request from all who have attended Mercy High School - WE WANT YOUR PHOTOS and YOUR MEMORIES OF MERCY!
Please email your pictures with a caption to Georgia Wasley '09, Alumnae Development Officer, at
gwasley@mercyhs.org
.
|
|
Mercy Girls Today
Student News & Events, For You!
|
|
Virtual Graduation - May 30
Join us as we celebrate our Class of 2020's Virtual Commencement Ceremony.
Date: Saturday, May 30
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Note that you do not need a Facebook account to view the graduation livestream.
|
|
Athletics
Check out
Mercy’s Athletic Fitness Resources guide for fitness resources you can utilize for any at-home workouts. Staying active and maintaining our physical, mental, and emotional health is essential during this difficult time.
|
|
Stay Connected with Mercy
|
|
Update your contact information with Mercy so you can receive news and announcements about alumnae events and reunions!
We love to know how our alumnae are making a difference in our world!
|
|
Alumnae Questions?
Contact Georgia Wasley '09, Alumnae Development Officer, at 415-872-0968 or
gwasley@mercyhs.org.
|
|
Giving is a True Act of Mercy
|
|
Our Mission
Mercy High School, San Francisco, educates women to pursue lives of spiritual and intellectual depth, determination, and daring action to improve our world as an inclusive, Catholic, college preparatory community enlivened by the Gospel of Jesus and the charism of the Sisters of Mercy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
