Class of 1933

Dear Cathedral High School:
My name is Jane Marino and I’m writing this on behalf of my mother, Margaret (Fornabia) Driscoll, a graduate of Cathedral High School. Mom is now 91 years old and in failing health. Though her diploma and papers were lost in transit many years ago, she believes she graduated in 1932 or ’33. She credits her impressive education at Cathedral for her never-ending love of learning, her impressive command of the English language, due in no small part to her studies in Latin and French. She often regaled us with tales of the intense demands of her fourth year Latin class. Her education served her well throughout her life; never did she forget verb declensions, syntax or proper punctuation! When one of her four children were struggling with English grammar, literature or our own Latin translations, Mom was always the go-to gal and she was always right! She left an office career in NYC to be a stay-at-home Mom and we were the luckiest children in the world to have such a devoted Mom. It’s impossible to elaborate on all the marvelous things she taught us, not the least of which was speaking correct English and the importance of reading, which has served us all so well throughout our lives. After we were all pretty much grown and gone, Mom embarked on a career with a publishing house and enjoyed her time there for the next twenty years. Mom’s time at Cathedral was challenging and demanding and she regrets not one minute of it. She likens what she learned at Cathedral equal to and in many cases superior to the standards of many college curriculums today. Don’t even get her started on the degree of difficulty of her regent’s exam!! At any rate, due to her ailing state, Mom has recently moved to a nursing/rehab facility, but is still pretty sharp mentally. I was very excited when I found your website recently and brought the info to share with Mom. She so enjoyed looking over the pages I printed out for her, particularly the reminiscences on your alumnae page. If anyone out there would like to drop Mom a line, I’m sure she would love it. And thank you, Cathedral, for all you imparted to my Mom. You played a large part in her being such a wonderful woman, teacher, and Mother; and most importantly, for instilling all the virtues of Catholicism that she has embraced throughout her life and subsequently instilled in her own children. If you care to drop a line, here is her info: Margaret Fornabia (Margaret Mary Driscoll), Nathaniel Witherell 70 Parsonage Road, Room 215A,Greenwich, CT 06830

Note: Since Jane sent me this email, her mother, Margaret was hospitalized with pneumonia and passed away on Wednesday, February 28th. Jane says that Cathedral High School always occupied a big part of her mother's heart and knows that her mother will be looking down upon us all with her overwhelming love. If you would like to send a note to Margaret or her family, please send them to her daughter Jane Marino at 430 Tuckertown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879, she will be sure to respond to you.

Elizabeth Nyilas Van Loan writes: My son, Charles, has a PH.D. in Math and is a professor of Computer Science at Cornell University. He’s written 6 books on Computer Science and Algorithms (whatever those are) that are used by Universities all around the world. He has a son and daughter, both in College My daughter, Jean, who lives in Colorado is a Computer Systems Analyst at the University of Denver.
 

Class of 1934

Sister Kathleen Egan writes: I graduated in January 1934. My sister Eileen Egan graduated in 1929. I served in Mount St. Scholastic College, then Benadictine College, for forty years, having received a Masters in Theatre from Catholic University and later a Masters in Library Science from St. John’s University. Eileen worked with Dorothy Day and with Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She was Project Supervisor for Catholic Relief Services. She wrote several books and I collaborated with her on three books including “Prayertimes with Mother Teresa”. All my teachers at Cathedral were caring and gifted. The most uplifting and serious influence on my life came from Sister Agnita Miriam Molloy, who built our self esteem. She taught French and had a homeroom. In the latter capacity she would invite each student to her desk, and ask, very seriously, “What is your philosophy of life?” I’ll always be grateful for the fine academic education which Cathedral gave us. God bless all you do.

Class of 1937

Norma Lepore Pace writes: Seventy years later I am still grateful for the wonderful education and discipline I received at Cathedral.
 

Class of 1940

Adele Baldo Canale: writes that she is residing in Jupiter, Florida.

Vita Galati Busch writes: My dearest classmate in Cathedral, class of 1940, Catherine Roslyn Finning Pauley, passed away on June 9, 2003. We shared so many laughs.
 

Class of 1942

Ruth Wall Kane writes: I was one of a triumph-erate. The other two are Mary Tierney Long of Cape Cod, MS, and Madeleine Welch Gough of California. We are still in touch with one another.
 

Class of 1943

Margaret Lyon Bartenbach writes: My dear classmate Rosemary Murray Ronayne passed away about two months ago. She was also a ‘43 graduate. She had a beautiful voice and was in the choir while I was in the Dramatic Club. We met accidentally years later at St. Catherine’s in Glen Rock and regained our friendship. We sold war bonds at lunchtime
during World War II. I went on to become a Cadet Corps Nurse during the war at Mt. St. Vincent. Then I worked in NY & NJ hospitals and finally got my M.S. degree @ age 50! My education at CHS was awesome, I received a great education from all of the staff. It added to my family and professional life, to help me develop a positive attitude toward all!
 

Class of 1948

Lorraine Bertrand Smith writes: I am a Cathedral graduate from the class of 1948. Graduated from college in 1984. I have three children, 5 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. I don’t remember if I was a student in room 512 in 1948 but if I was, I would like to get in touch with classmate Ms. Roberts.
 

Class of 1949

Virginia Conte Ravizza writes: living here on Cape Cod for the past ten years...enjoying the leisure life style. Would like to know if any of the gals are living near me???? Please email me at ginniegirl@capecod.net
 

Class of 1950

Dolores Dwyer Duffy writes: I work occasionally at 74 yrs on TV or Films in small parts. I’m in touch with several classmates, but wonder where Judy Jones’50 is? Hello to the Class of ‘50 everywhere!
 

Class of 1954

Patricia Hackett Tarpinian writes: Pat Hackett Tarpinian & Dorothy Fitzgerald Nigro ‘54 attend their 50th reunion from Bellevue School of Nursing May ‘07 - “what happens at Cathedral doesn’t stay in Cathedral - but grows & grows”. God Bless us all!
 

Class of 1955

Patricia O’Connell Rosenthal writes: After graduating from the NY Foundling, I am still working in area Hospitals and also taking care of new adopted granddaughter. Still trying to locate Gertrude Lebduska who I grew up with and attended Cathedral with, but unable to find after many years, would love to know if anyone can help. Living in Fla. 23 yrs with 5 brothers and sisters, nieces, etc. Email me at irish17371@bellsouth.net
 

Class of 1956

Maureen Cox DeFranco writes: Mother of three, Grandmother of 12. I had another dream come true, a trip to Ireland in June 2006. Visited relatives and mother’s home. Beautiful! Thank You!

Brunhilda (Brenda) Perez Espinosa writes: I live on the ocean in Miami Beach. We will be opening our new Miami Beach Hispanic Community Center building on the Ocean, the only senior center in the USA directly on the ocean, sometime in 2008. Come on down and visit us at our center when it is finished, have lunch with us and other activities, go bathing on Miami Beach.. My daughter is a realtor and I live with her.
 

Class of 1957

Anna Brown Armstrong writes: Sincere thank you to Sister Elizabeth, and all others involved, for the wonderful experience you provided on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at the Cathedral High School Homecoming Reunion. As a member of the Class of 1957, receiving the special Commemorative Anniversary Diploma was a moment to remember. It was made even more special because it brought together many of us who have been apart fifty years; to re-connect and celebrate what those years have brought us and how important our four years at CHS were. I traveled to the reunion with three other graduates from my elementary school, Our Lady of Good Counsel, who also reside on Long Island. We four had attended CHS - St. Joseph Branch and had not been together since our 1957 graduation (Susan Wade, Eleanor Serencsics and Mary Mangan). Our reminiscing included that additional period of our lives that began with our early childhood. A wonderful day was experienced by all...again, thank you Sister Elizabeth (and staff) for all you did on your behalf to make this such a wonderful, memorable day in our lives.

Valerie Daring George writes: I’ll be retiring as a Professor of Nursing from Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio after 28 years. Served as a Fullbright Scholar to Mlaorara University in Uganda East Africa 2002-2003. My husband Allen & I will be traveling extensively over the next few years. Looking forward to the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Barbara Braicovich Jurgensen writes: After graduation I attended State University @ Oneonta and graduated in 1962 and started my teaching career. I married in ‘65 and moved to the suburbs - had two children and continued to teach. Life has been good with one major blip. We lost our son in ‘98 and miss him very much. Joe & I moved to MA this past fall. We are both retired. The winters are enjoyed in Sista Key, FL. I can’t believe its been so many years since I was at Cathedral. Time certainly flies.

Ann Delaney Mohlenbrok writes: I regret missing my 50th anniversary celebration - Family wedding prevented my being there. Would love to have a 50th Anniversary certificate. Miss those days at 51st & Lexington. Still working 1 full time & 1 part time jobs in Psychiatry

Eleanore Mulligan writes: I’d love to get in touch with Rochelle Iulo. If anyone has info about her please let me know. My email is emulligan@32bjfunds.com

Carmen Rivera Oxhorn writes: A short note to thank you for all your efforts for making our 50th Anniversary reunion a most memorable event. Hoping to see more ladies from the Class of 1957 at future Alumnae Reunions. A good time was had by all. Thank you again. The Diplomas are beautiful! and plan to frame mine with the photo name tag. Great idea!
 

Class of 1958

Mary Catena Castricone writes: I would like to hear from Sr. Donna DeGhetto (Dominican Sister) & Ms. Norma Rodriguez-Negron & Elizabeth Breen, all class of 1958.
 

Class of 1959

Elena Bergonzi Malunis writes: I graduated from CHS in June 1959. I then went on to Hunter College where I received a BA Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a major in Math. I subsequently received an MS in Math from NYU. I worked for IBM over 30 where I held a number of management and executive positions. I retired from IBM in 2002 and then with a colleague I started a small marketing consulting business (working primarily with technology companies). I would love to hear from my classmates. You can reach me at emalunis@optonline.net

Rosemary Doyle Raleigh writes: Retired to North Carolina after 30 years of nursing. Have 6 grandchildren, the oldest going to Notre Dame University this fall.

Judy Jaeblonowski Veraldo writes: I am trying to locate some of the girls from my old neighborhood. We all attended Cathedral and have lost contact over the years. The women that I’m looking for are in the class of ‘57: Maryann Pontecorva, Geraldine Beckner, Josephine Ferrera, & Angelina Piccininni. I would appreciate receiving their address, phone # or e-mail address. My email is jveraldo@optonline.net.
 

Class of 1961

Barbara Wagner Colon writes: I would like to contact anyone who graduated in 1961 or who attended the Immaculate Conception Branch in the late 1950’s. My email address is skaidesign@earthlink.net

Carmen Justo Pascual writes: I have 2 children and 4 granddaughters. I work at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York as a Judicial Interpreter.
 

Class of 1962

Lourdes Matheo writes: Anyone who remembers me please contact at loumatheo@msn.com. Anyone from rm. 604, Big Sam passed on.

Dorota Jachec writes: Hi Mrs. D’Orazi, I am living in Poland with my family and I'm liking it more day by day. I'm finishing up my 1st year of college where I majored in Education, but I hope to study in Krakow next year and major in English. Who would have thought? I have many great new friends & excellent teachers that teach me new things everyday. One of my English teachers is actually from NY. I miss your health classes so much, now that I am here I realized how much I learned. When people ask me what kind of school I finished & what I learned there, the first thing I mention is my internships. They are amazed that we actually had an opportunity to experience the birth of a baby. In Poland sometimes not even the father gets to see that. The best reaction was when I told them about the brain surgery & the open heart surgery I got to see with Jessica from Health Corps. They couldn't believe it. I realized that with my knowledge & experience I could practically study anything I want here. For once I love going to school and I really look forward to studying in Krakow if I get in. If not then there's always Wroclaw or Opole two other universities in Poland. Well that's all for now.