February 2013 The Annunciator

Find us on the web at www.school.Annunciationcrestwood.com

Graduates Make a Difference in the Varied World of Health Care

Health care has been a news-making item ‘supplemental’ insurance policies offered by for the last few decades. Whether it is the private companies. Those premiums, added rising cost of health care itself, the rising to the premiums Medicare would deduct Inside this issue... costs of health insurance from our Social Secu- Letters from the 2 coverage, the discussions rity payments, would Pastor and Principal about tort reform, the just about equal the moral implications of premiums we were Egan Scholarship 3 various areas of research, paying for private or ObamaCare, which healthcare protec- Bits of Crestwood 4 was the subject of much tion.” Around the School and 6 debate and a hot button The “sticker Parish in last year’s election, shock” set Patrick to there is an opinion on wondering what the Women Who Walk 11 every side of every topic. impact might be on Annunciation has persons moving di- Favorite Pizza 12 graduated many students rectly from employee Where We Live 17 who went on to make benefits to the Medi- their mark in health care. Here we highlight care world and on those unable to filter the Reunion News 27 some of those who have chosen this profes- barrage of advertisements and alternatives as sion. they searched for the least costly and most beneficial course of action. From this con- Milestones 29 templation emerged the Brennan Agency, Patrick Brennan ‘53 took a tempo- which serves the southern shore of Lake rary position at a large New York City bank Class Notes 30 Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michi- in 1965 and ended up developing systems gan, and which specializes in the evaluation Annunciation Elementary School and applications for the bank’s new IBM of health and life insurance options for sen- mainframe computers. Thirty-seven years 465 Westchester Avenue ior citizens, by seniors who have been down later, he accepted a reduction-in-force buy- the road and survived. Crestwood, NY 10707 out at age 62. Recognizing that he now had to pay 100% of the cost of pre-Medicare “New benefits became available as I was opening my business. Prescription drug cov- health insurance, he and his wife, Patty Ann, chose the least expensive option available erage was introduced in 2006, and Medicare The Annunciator Editorial Board: and waited for the peace of mind and re- Advantage plans came online shortly thereaf- Richard Burke ‘48 duced cost that Medicare would provide ter. Created by the ‘Medicare Modernization Patrick F.X. Brennan ‘53 three years down the road. Act of 2003,’ these optional plans transferred the management of Medicare benefits from Patrick says, “Six weeks before my 65th Chris Grealy Brown Daly ‘62 government agencies to private insurance birthday that pleasant expectation was shat- Mary Theresa Gill McCombe ‘75 companies,” says Patrick, “and dramatically tered, and reality caught our budget up short. reduced premium expense.” John Sullivan ‘82 We discovered that the deductibles and co- Marie Villani-York ‘93 pays that come with Medicare would leave Recently, additional legislation has im- us exposed to potentially limitless catastro- pacted the health insurance industry and Christina Gallinari ‘01 phic expenses unless we purchased Continued on page 13 Page 2 The Annunciator

Letter to the editor The Crestwood Throw is Back!

To the Editor, The “Crestwood Throw,” a lovely Afghan- Great job. I always enjoy the newsletter. Was that really type blanket with all of our my Dad in the class picture peeking in? My Dad passed local points of interest pic- away on February 2 of this year at the age of 94. He loved tured on it, is back! It is the Crestwood and Annunciation. We came when Msgr. perfect bridal shower, wed- Duggan was there, and through the years, my mom worked ding or birthday gift. It is with Fr. Hyland and the altar boys. My dad was an usher, also a warm and comfy sang in the choir and counted the Sunday collection. Lots blanket during cold winter of great memories. nights. It’s a unique heir- Now I have two grandchildren at Annunciation, and the loom item to share with story continues. Our daughter and son-in-law, Mike and Jennifer Hefner, are getting very involved. It is just won- your favorite Annunciation derful. Thanks for doing this, and keeping us all up-to-date alumnus or former Crest- on old friends and happenings at the school and church. wood resident! Cost: $40 plus shipping Alice Byrnes Morilla ‘61 Colors available: Cranberry or Navy blue Contact: Pat Leyden [email protected] or 914-260-4584

Letter from the Pastor Letter from the Principal Dear Alumni, Dear Alumni,

I write this note on the coldest day of the year so Happy New Year! I hope this year will be abundant in far. It is hard to believe that the school year is half over. blessings and full of celebrations for you and your families. We had some damage to the school from Hurricane Sandy, As for the Annunciation School family, we begin this year which resulted in the removal of the outdated antenna for with a celebration. In January, we celebrated Catholic Instructional Television. Schools Week. We had many activities planned to celebrate Our eighth-graders are filled with excitement as our wonderful school. The activities focused on commu- they are receiving notices from high schools about their nity, spirit and giving back to others. Although we only acceptances into next year’s ninth grade. celebrate Catholic Schools Week during one week in Janu- The Archdiocese is proceeding with plans for re- ary, Annunciation School will continue throughout the en- gionalization of schools. Annunciation is located in the tire year to embody the theme of this year’s Catholic region of Central Westchester. However, due to our aca- Schools Week, which is “Catholic Schools Raise the Stan- demic excellence and our stable enrollment, we will remain dards.” independent and parish-based. As always, I want to thank you for continued interest, I thank the many alumni for their donations to our support and prayers as Annunciation School continues its school. These donations help us provide the very best and mission to raise the standards. the most modern education. Be assured of my gratitude. Sincerely,

Sincerely, PageFebruary 3 2013 Page 3 Scholarship Created for Annunciation Student at Iona Prep Long-time Annunciation moving first to Rye and then to parishioners, Patricia and John New Rochelle, but they always Egan, are being honored by remembered their years at An- their children with the creation nunciation. of a scholarship. The Egan John, who was born in the children: Betty Ann ’66, Jack ‘69 Bronx, graduated from All Hal- and Jim ‘72, created the scholar- lows High School and St. John’s ship after their dad passed away University. He served honora- in December 2011. bly during World War II with The Patricia and John Egan the U.S. Army Signal Corp in Scholarship will be awarded to a the Philippines. After his dis- qualified Annunciation School charge from the Army, John student who will be attending joined the NYPD, where he Iona Preparatory School as a served for 27 years, leaving as a Patricia and John Egan member of the Class of detective sergeant. After retir- 2017. Preference for the schol- ing from the NYPD, John arship will be given to sons of police officers, members of served for many years as a director of security for Pepsi-Cola the military and teachers, but all “True Iona Men” are en- Bottling Company. couraged to apply. The $5,000 scholarship, renewable for Patricia grew up in Bryn Mawr Park, Yonkers; graduated four years, will be offered to a young man committed to ser- from Cathedral High School and The College of Mount vice to others, respect for family and friends and a commit- Saint Vincent. She worked at Young & Rubicam until she ment to the American Catholic tradition to be a lifelong started to raise their family. Once the children had grown, learner. Patricia worked for many years at Sarah Lawrence College as Patricia and John were members of Annunciation Parish the assistant to the Director of the Early Childhood Cen- for over 40 years. They moved from Crestwood in 1998, Continued on page 33

Activities Held During Catholic Schools Week

Annunciation participated in On Tuesday, grades Pre-K Catholic Schools Week during the through 3 wore their winter paja- week of January 28. Each day mas to school and enjoyed story there were activities planned for time and cookies and milk. On fun and fundraising. Throughout that same day, grades 4 to 8 had a the week, the school collected dress down day and grade 8 chal- canned food items to support the lenged the faculty to a volleyball Archdiocese of New York’s Feed- game, which was won by the fac- ing Our Neighbors Campaign. ulty with a score of 81-80. On Monday, students were Mid-week Wednesday arrived allowed to add a little pizzazz to with a science assembly for all their uniform by wearing crazy A sampling of crazy socks on “Crazy Socks and grades. The theme was “Your socks or crazy ties. Each class Ties Day” Oceans Rock,” which featured an had a charity toss. A donation was necessary in order to par- amazing interactive presentation along with genuine speci- ticipate in the toss, and the winner will get to be the gym mens of prehistoric and modern sea life creatures. The stu- teacher for a day. Each class had specific charities that they dents learned many things, including how oceans formed, were raising money for, including the Elizabeth Ann Seton how marine life fossils form, all about plate tectonics, ocean Pediatric Center, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Yonkers habitats, ecosystems and migrations, and how coral reefs, Animal Shelter and the Wounded Warrior Project, among estuaries and beach sand end up where they are. They also others. Continued on page 24 Page 4 The Annunciator

Bits of Crestwood: Everyday People by Mark L. Maiello ’71

“Memorable Songs from Annunciation Years” (The An- Still can’t figure out the bag that I’m in nunciator, November 2012) reminded me that the Class of ‘71 I am everyday people. could claim a theme song of its own by virtue of its late 60s sensibilities, its hard work and the pluck of one of its sixth- grade teachers, Sister Miriam Joseph. There is a long man that doesn’t like the short man for being such a rich one that will not help the poor one Sister was a bit of rebel. Example: her veil was very dif- different strokes for different folks... ferent from the ones that the older nuns wore (very modern, less severe). I remember her as confident, motivated and when the occasion called for it, pretty darn funny. Our class Idealistic? Maybe. True to our 1960’s upbringing? You project under her guidance: write, produce and construct a bet. Relevant to today? Absolutely! The play, as clumsy puppet-play for our fellow Annunciation classmates. It was and contrived as it was, tried to capture the tensions of the a joy to participate in and to this day is remembered by this day and the concept of “inclusiveness” before that word was graduate fondly. invented. “Equality” was the 60s often-voiced equivalent. Construction of the puppets consisted of paper mache- Two other popular songs of the era get some recognition covered tennis balls, carefully though perhaps not so skill- as the story progresses: “A Ray of Hope” (the Rascals) and fully sculpted and painted to delineate the facial features of “Abraham, Martin and John” (Dion). From the conceptuali- our various characters. Clothes, sewed to portray their pro- zation and scripting of the play to which we all contributed, fessions and ethnicities may have been provided by Sister or to the building of the ferry and the admittedly awkward and some of my skilled female classmates. They all, of course, shall I say “innocent stereotyping” of the characters, it was a received names. Two partners constructed them, voiced and memorable achievement of our sixth-grade adventures. controlled them (a mere rod inserted into the “head” was Below are a few lines from “Everyday People” (a torn, the only means of manipulation). “Father Brunswick” was dog-eared mimeographed copy still resides at home with Fr. voiced by yours truly and handled by Raymond La Russa. Brunswick in an old Lord & Taylor box). The italics and “Father,” or just “priest” as he is listed in the script, was notes in brackets are mine. A few corrections to punctua- named for the bowling lanes Ray and I frequented on Cen- tion were also made. tral Avenue in those days. The only classmates named in the script are “Joanne” and “Nancy” who manned the record player. Limbo [character’s name] – Sometimes I wonder if free- dom is holding high in this country with all the assassi-

nations that have taken place in the past years. Good The theme: A Staten Island ferry ride to the Statue of Lib- men like Abraham Lincoln, John Kennedy, Martin Lu- erty during which the characters manage (or mismanage) ther King and Robert Kennedy. gender, religious and potential interracial conflict. The play

breaks into song three pages in with Sly and the Family Stone’s 1969 hit “Everyday People.” Jose – I have my cartridge player here, and I think I have the record Abraham, Martin and John. Wanna hear it?

I am no better and neither are you. Everyone – Yeah. O.K. Sure. We’re all the same whatever we do. Continued on page 11 You love me, you hate me, you know me and then

You can find us on the Web at School.AnnunciationCrestwood.com February 2013 Page 5 An Update on Some Memorable Teachers

In response to a question in the November 2012 edition of Peter Prichard ‘96 wrote about the impact that Mrs. The Annunciator, some alumni emailed reminisces of their fa- Muriel O’Neil had on him. “At the time, her history tests vorite teachers. were very hard. but as time passed, I grew to really love Bill Wasp, ‘61, who read about the passing of sister Agnes American history. Mrs. O’Neil was just a great eighth- William, said that he, “thought about who my next favorite grade teacher. I went on to minor in American history at teacher might be. I would have to say it was Sister Rosanne the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY because of the who was the principal and eighth-grade passion she taught us to have for America.” He goes on teacher when we graduated in 1961. to say, “When I was in 8th grade, I could not have cared less about who my local sena- She was different for me, because, al- though she was tough, she also felt like tor was, but now I make that more of a person to me than a nun. connection because of our She felt modern, like a glimpse of what eighth-grade trip to Washing- the modern woman would look like.” ton, D.C. It’s still my favorite place to visit!” Peter, who has Sr. Rosanne O’Rourke was born in worked in retail, restaurants 1916 in Philadelphia, PA. She was and as a college counselor, is raised in Lindenwald, NJ and became a now studying for a master’s Dominican sister in 1937. Today, Sr. Peter Prichard ‘96 degree in recreational therapy. Bill Wasp ‘61 Rosanne is 97 years old and lives in Mt. Vernon, NY. She recently celebrated her 75th Jubilee. Mrs. Muriel O’Neil says that she considers herself to be successful when a student “I have had many, many happy years. In fact, I have really leaves her classroom with more of a love of American his- been happy for most tory or more of a love for their country. She herself was a of my life. I’ve had history major in college, and she has been teaching 7th and sadness, like when my 8th-grade American history at Annunciation for 27 years. parents passed away, Seventh-graders learn about American history through the and I’ve had illness, Civil War, while 8th graders learn but most have been about post Civil War to present relatively small things. times. God has been very, very good to me.” Mrs. O’Neil says that she tells her classes that if she could go back Sr. Rosanne is a in time, she would be “a spy during slight woman, with a the American Revolution. Women beautiful smile and a Sr. Rosanne O’Rourke, O.P. weren’t thought to be as smart back wonderful outlook on then. Who would suspect that a life. She remembers woman would be a spy?” her time at Annunciation as both an eighth-grade teacher and Mrs. Muriel O’Neil then principal. Annunciation School was her first experience Over the years, Mrs. O’Neil has as a principal. After six years, her assignment in Crestwood welcomed the use of technology into the classroom. She was over, and she moved on to teach at other schools. uses SmartBoards, online programs offered by the pub- lisher of the history textbook, and even YouTube videos Sr. Rosanne says that she tries to find the good in every- thing, even when others might see something as negative. “God is very good to all of us.” Continued on page 16

Annunciation Church and Annunciation School are on Facebook! Page 6 The Annunciator Around the School and Parish Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts

Girl Scout Troop 1551 collected new pajamas for the Maria Fereri Children’s Hospital outside the 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. Masses on Sunday, December 1. Top left, third-grade Scouts Mikayla Spero (daughter of Peter Spero ‘83), Juliana LaMarca, Hannah Kilduff and Nina Talamo smile when they see how much they have collected. Above right, Nina Talamo accepts a donation from first-grader Madeline Bohan. Also outside church that day were the Boy Scouts who were selling Christmas wreaths. Left, sixth-grader Sean Gaughan and seventh-grader Brandon DiPanfilo, help a customer with a wreath.

All four candles are lit on Annunciation’s Advent Wreath.

Advent February 2013 Page 7 Around the School and Parish Father-Daughter Dance

The Father-Daughter dance was held Friday, November 30, 2012. The dance was open to all the fathers and daughters in the school. Above left, John and Giulia ‘18 Aurrichio enjoy the evening. Above right, the eighth-grade girls pose together at their last father-daughter dance.

Nathan’s Famous is Demolished

In December, the wrecking ball crumbled the walls of Nathan’s on the corner of Crisfield Street and Central Park Avenue. The major news channels covered the closing of this iconic res- taurant, a farewell party was held in the last days, and fi- nally an auction was held for all of the video games and the restaurant equipment. The site will be redeveloped, and a smaller Nathan’s and a CVS are expected to occupy the site, along with office space. Page 8 The Annunciator Around the School and Parish Crestwood 5K to Benefit Superstorm Sandy Relief

Under gray skies on Saturday, December 8, the Crestwood 5K was run to benefit Superstorm Sandy relief. The race was organized by Casey O’Connor ‘04 (bottom left in photos) and the proceeds— almost $24,000—were donated to The Graybeards, Ltd., a non- profit organization in Rockaway. More than 130 runners com- peted, and the City of Yonkers Police Department provided assis- tance to keep the roadways clear for the participants. Rudy Quinn ‘03 (top left in photos) was the winner in the men’s cate- gory and Mary Leahy, mother of Kyle ‘10 and Jack ‘12, was the winner in the women’s category. February 2013 Page 9 Around the School and Parish Breakfast With Santa

Little Laurel Crabtree, daugh- ter of Will Crabtree ‘86, is set to meet Santa for the first time with her mom, Salem.

Christiana Santos and Regina Potenza, both Class of 2017, are enjoying the breakfast, which is sponsored Isabella Wuestenhoefer ‘21 is all by the Ladies’ Guild and was chaired by Ellen O’Brien smiles after the face painting. and Mary Mallon.

Supporting Our Troops

Annunciation Parish partnered with the American Legion, Ernest Pasqua Post #1506 and Cub Scouts Pack 6 Crestwood to send 71 care packages to four bases in Afghanistan. Thank you letters were received and displayed at the back of church. Above, an example of the letters that were sent ex- pressing appreciation for the gifts. Page 10 The Annunciator Around the School and Parish Raffle Winner is our School Secretary!

Our school secretary, JoAnn McNamara, and her husband, Bill, were the grand-prize win- ners in the parish raffle. Congratulations! JoAnn and Bill are the proud parents of Annun- ciation graduates Bill ‘92, Chris ‘95, Keith ‘96 and Katie ‘00.

Sofia DiSimone is Cardinal Egan Scholarship Recipient

Eighth-grader Sofia DiSimone recently re- ceived a Cardinal Egan Scholarship awarded by the Tri-State Italian American Congress. She was among 220 scholarship winners who are students in Catholic schools in the Archdio- cese of New York and are of Italian-American heritage. The value of the scholarship is $1,250 and is put toward Sofia’s Annunciation School tuition. Sofia says that winning the scholarship “made me very proud. I’m mostly Italian with just a bit of German.” Asked about the cere- mony that was held on January 4, 2013, at the New York Catholic Center for the scholarship recipients, Sofia said it “was very crowded but lots of fun.” February 2013 Page 11

The Women Who Walk You can almost set there are nine diehards, your clock by their pass- who walk as frequently as ing on the street. Those possible. There are also women who walk. You occasional “guest walkers” see them when you are who come in to join the driving. They are either group once in a while. On coming at you or you are average, there are five or six driving toward them. woman walking each morn- They part to let you by, ing. The group meets dur- without missing a step. ing the week at Annuncia- Weather doesn’t really tion at drop off at 8:15 a.m. matter. They walk and at 7:30 a.m. on week- through rain and shine, ends (slightly earlier when warm weather and frigid the clock changes) and temperatures. Only completes their circuit in an snow can stop them. hour and a quarter. Milly Who are these women and Laura are something of who walk? Five of the women who walk brave a chilly 19 degree morning. the “team captains.” Left to right: Geri Taylor, Milly Sohr, Margaret Tannian, Joanne Milly Sohr, mother of When the temperature Golden, Laura Fineran Brian ‘11, Alison ‘13, was expected to be only a and Kristen ‘15, started few degrees during a recent walking on her own with only her walkman for company. cold spell, a text went out to the group. “It’s going to be 4 On occasion, she would be joined by Josephine LaMarca, degrees tomorrow. What’s the protocol?” The answer? “We mother of Sal ‘11, Marisa ‘13, and Juliana ‘18. Walking was walk!” Hitting the pavement with Milly and Laura are great exercise, and Milly was devoted to getting her walk in Joanne Golden (Danny ‘08, Kristine ‘09, Liam ‘12 and on a daily basis. Timmy ‘13), Margaret Tannian (John ‘10, Ita Marie ‘13, Ryan Then, in 2011, Laura Finneran, wife of Tim ‘81 and ‘15 and Patrick ‘18), Geri Taylor (Meredith ‘12, Margaret ‘15 mother of Georgina ‘10, Katie ‘13 and Laura ‘16, joined and Daniel ‘17), Ann Marie Sullivan (Teresa ‘11 and John Milly on her daily walk. Laura and Milly were a constant on ‘17), and Cathy Murphy (Jack ‘12 and Caroline), Maureen the streets of Crestwood, and it was Laura who suggested Butler (Pierce ‘10, Niahm ‘11, James ‘12 and Declan ‘21), they measure the route. Realizing that they were just short and Leslie Petit (Natalie ‘10, Lucas ‘14, Sally ‘15, and Marco of 5 miles, the woman added a loop and had a daily trek that ‘18), in addition to Josephine who was there at the start. measured 5-1/4 miles through the streets of Crestwood. Laura says that some people have said, “I know what Over the next year, the walking group grew. In total Continued on page 33

Everyday People Continued from page 4 Gretta [reciting the lyrics] - We’ll pray for a day when all Song – All SING [performers break out in song] men are free and people can live like they’re meant to be. Meanwhile it’s up to you and me. Start working to- ward this dream. Priest – We talk a lot about freedom, brotherhood and love but at times I wonder if there are [any] of these things left in the world. That is I wondered until a little Priest – We should all look for this ray of hope so that while ago…[Perused song titles at a fictitious store on all people can make the dream of freedom [another Liberty Island; tries to recall the titles – what a great mu- metaphor for equality] a reality. (Whistle) [boat docks; sic section that gift shop had]. A few songs struck me as play ends] really being full of meaning. One was – wait, let me find it – Ah, here it is. A Ray of Hope… I had all the good lines….Thank you Sister Miriam Jo- seph - wherever you are. Page 12 The Annunciator “The Annunciator” Asks: What was your favorite pizzeria?

In what appears to be a dead heat, Roma Restaurant in room and sausage pizza was the ultimate.” Maureen Fulton Tuckahoe and Albanese’s in Eastchester are/were our gradu- ‘65 says, “I can still recall the soft crust pie oozing with just ates’ favorite pizza places! Albanese’s, one in the south end the right amount of mozzarella and seasonings. I think of Eastchester in Waverly Square and the other in the north another reason we liked it was because we got to have end of Eastchester by Brook Street, no longer exist. Roma is pitchers of Coca-Cola which was a real treat. They also had located on Columbus a big jukebox in the restaurant (no individual ones at tables Avenue in Tuckahoe like diners), and we loved plopping those quarters in and Roma was hailed for getting three songs for a quarter. For some reason, my fa- its thin crust pie. Kathy ther never thought of pizza as being a ‘proper’ dinner, so he Keyes ‘75 says, “It was a would have spaghetti and meatballs while the rest of us special treat to be the one gobbled down the best pizza pies ever.” to accompany Dad to Also mentioned in the informal poll were Crestwood pick up it up and ride Pizza at the Crestwood Station, Vinny’s in Tuckahoe, Sal’s home with a warm pizza in Mamaroneck, and Three Boys from Italy and Patty’s on your lap.” Gail Fred- Pizza, both in the Bronx. dolino-London ‘72 says Perhaps the luckiest pizza eaters were the Candela and that she would always go Avallone families whose mothers and grandmothers always “after my dad’s baseball made homemade pizza game,” while Judee Arnstein ‘68 says that the Arnstein family on Friday nights, which went “every Friday night and had their cheese pizza, because were always meatless. we couldn’t eat meat on Friday. It was a special treat!” Bruce Responding to this Connors ‘60 says that Roma’s still has “thin, crispy crust, tasty question made at least a sauce and cheese.” few people hungry and On the other side of the fence were Albanese’s enthusi- missing New York asts. Mary Lou LaSala Pagano ‘79 says Albanese’s had pizza. Malcolm “perfect pizza every time. We went there after swim meets, MacKenzie ‘74 an- Christmas concerts and ballet recitals.” Gaily Von Schlicht- swered the question ing ‘67 noted that Albanese’s had a great jukebox, while and then wrote, “Now Nancy McArthur ‘68 says, “My dad got paid once a month. I’m hungry for pizza. I really miss those places,” while We would pick him up at the Tuckahoe train station and go Ellen Brophy Morhart ‘67 and Thomas Schultze ‘75 la- up the hill for pizza. Waiter Bob was our favorite, and if we mented that the pizza in Indiana and Pennsylvania, respec- behaved, we got to go for Carvel.” Rich Linderman ‘69 notes tively, just doesn’t compare to their favorite places in New that “Albanese’s had the best pizza I have ever had. Mush- York.

Annunciation's Linkedin Group is for alumni, family and friends of Annuncia- tion. Joining this group will enable you to network with fellow Annunciation alumni and friends and also enable them to find you. Danny Lawrence ‘94 recently created the group, and it's open to all. Join today! February 2013 Page 13

Health Care Professionals Continued from page 1 Pat has three pieces of advice for senior citizens when it thus, senior citizens. In passing the “Patient Protection and comes to health insurance. The first is to anticipate health Affordable Care Act” (PPACA) in 2010, Congress chose to care expenses in planning their budgets and set a worst-case, eliminate more than one-half trillion dollars budgeted for out-of-pocket limit they can afford. The second is to use that Medicare, and allocate the funds elsewhere. Pat says, limit as the minimum deductible to consider when purchasing “Most of this money is acquired by reducing the allocations coverage, which will help reduce premium costs. The third is for Medicare Advantage and payments to providers. In to not use insurance to pay for routine health care—it will the long run, it will all be taken out of the pockets of sen- cost more than paying for it out-of-pocket. iors. As more companies leave the Medicare Advantage Even more recently, Pat’s non-Medicare business has been field, seniors are forced to go back to more expensive sup- impacted by the PPACA “Contraception Mandate,” which plemental plans, and service providers exercise their right to went into effect on August 1, 2012. The mandate requires charge rates up to 15% higher than Medicare allows, pass- that all new insurance plans must include coverage for contra- ing the difference on to their patients. As a health insur- ceptives, chemical abortifacients and surgical sterilization, ance adviser, I expect my workload to increase. Even without any deductible or co-pay requirement. “There has though many of my clients will blame me for their higher been a lot of attention paid to objections lodged by religious prices, I will continue to seek out the best alternatives for institutions and organizations (43 Catholic dioceses, universi- each of them.” Continued on page 14

Graduate Opens her Heart to Divine Inspiration Christina Ranaudo Colletti ‘67 is an RN-BC and has worked at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, NJ for thirteen years. She also works for Bayada Home Care. After Annuncia- tion, Christina went to St. Clare’s Academy followed by Atlantic Cape Community College where she received her associate’s degree in nursing with honors. Christina is currently enrolled at Rutgers-Camden for a bachelor of science in nursing with plans to pursue her master’s de- gree as she works toward her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. It was not always in her plans to become a nurse, however. After high school, she attended Berkeley Business School, got married and became a stay-at-home mother. When her children Christina Ranaudo were in high school, she became a cosmetologist. But nursing? She recalls how it happened. Colletti ‘67 “I said a simple prayer one day. I was 35 years old and wanted to do something other than be a housewife and stay-at-home mom. I never entertained the idea of nursing, although mom had suggested it to me when I was a senior in high school. But here I was, all these years later, and I really believed I had no talent or abilities.” “One day, I met a very wise woman at church who asked me if I had ever asked God what I was supposed to do with my life? I said I hadn’t; it never occurred to me. So she said, ‘Well, why don't you?’ So I asked what He created me to do, and if I had any talents or abilities could He please tell me. Within one week this desire for nursing began to surface in my heart. I had never experienced anything like it, and it kept growing until the passion in my heart to become a nurse was almost overwhelming.” Christina acknowledges that she was also inspired by her mother, who was also an RN and who would help her Crest- wood neighbors whenever anyone had a medical issue. Christina says, “She was a great mom and a great role model for me. She was very active in the community, serving on the school board and actively participating in school functions and in church activities at Annunciation.” Christina works in the medical surgical/infections disease unit of the hospital. She works 12 hour days and, even though it is non-stop running, she loves her job. When asked what the best thing about her job is, Christina responds that it is all about helping her patients. “I help my patients at a time in their lives when their world has stopped due to an illness or disease. I get to advocate for patients and help them navigate the strange world of health care at a difficult time in their lives. I get to share my faith when they are scared and hopeless. I equip them with knowledge and resources for the battles that they often face. I get to share in the happy times when their medical problems are simple and share in their sorrows when there are end-of-life issues. I get to take care of them as if they were my mom or my dad, as if they were my family. I get to pray for them, silently as I go about my day. I am truly blessed.” Page 14 The Annunciator

Health Care Professionals Continued from page 13 Golisano Children’s Hospital at ties and hospitals have filed suit claiming violation of First Strong. He is also the liaison with Amendment rights),” notes Pat, “but very little to the effect on the community-based pediatri- individuals selling and seeking health insurance. As an inde- cians. pendent agent, I offer the products of several insurance com- Thomas has taken on a num- panies. Until August 1, none of them offered explicit coverage ber of leadership positions in the of contraceptives, and all of them explicitly excluded coverage medical community. He was of abortion and sterilization for contraceptive purposes. One Chief Medical Officer for the of those companies redesigned its major medical offering to Rochester Community Individual conform to the mandate. I am told that the others will follow Practice Association, a past chair suit. As a faithful Catholic, I cannot promote and sell insur- of the Committee on Child Health ance that covers and pays for these services. I have already Financing, and a member of the dropped one product from my portfolio, and expect to aban- Thomas McInerny American Academy of Pediatrics, don the entire major medical line as more new products are including being a member of numerous AAP committees introduced by my other providers. What’s more important,” such as the Task Force on Immunization, the Mental Pat says, “faithful Catholics are coerced by this law to pay, Health Task Force and the steering committee on Quality through their premiums, for morally offensive products they Improvement and Management. He has won numerous do not want and will never use. That is how they can be pro- recognitions and honors, including the 2009 American vided ‘free’ to others.” Academy of Pediatrics Education Award. He is currently the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, rep- Thomas McInerny ‘55 has had over forty years of experience resenting 62,000 pediatricians. as a primary care pediatrician. After Annunciation, Thomas He now uses his love for medicine to focus on improv- attended Iona Preparatory School, before graduating from the ing the quality of care and primary care of children. His Pre-Med program at Dartmouth College. He received his expertise is in caring for children with chronic illness, chil- medical degree from Harvard Medical School and interned and dren’s mental health and the financing of children’s health did his residency in pediatrics at both Cincinnati Children’s care. To that end, he has been involved in a number of Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital. research projects focusing on immunization research, Thomas is Associate Chair for Clinical affairs and professor studies of health care financing and is a leader in of pediatrics at University of Rochester Medical Center/ Continued on page 15

Alumnus Connects to Medicine Through Volunteer Work

Peter Dirr’s ‘54 involvement in medicine began after he supports in Thomassique, Haiti. Peter has made fifteen retired from a career in education and communication. As trips to Haiti. highlighted in the February 2011 issue of The Annunciator, “For someone who was not Peter got involved with Medical Missionaries, an all- trained in health care or commu- volunteer group of doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists and nity development, I have had to support personnel, like Peter, who work to improve the learn a lot in order to do my job quality of health care for the poorest of the poor in the U.S. for Medical Missionaries. The and throughout the world. learning has taken me into diverse As a member of the board of directors, Peter volunteers areas such as water purification, full time, handling much of the management of the organi- solar power, fortified salt, school zation, creating and maintaining the website lunch programs, maternal and (www.medmissionaries.org), administering a Global Health infant care services and interna- Peter Dirr Fellowship program, founding and supervising Medical tional shipping,” says Peter. Missionaries chapters at schools and universities, and over- You can read more about Peter and Medical Missionar- seeing the work of the staff of St. Joseph Clinic, a perma- ies in the February 2011 newsletter which can be found in nent medical facility that Medical Missionaries built and the newsletter archives on the school’s website. February 2013 Page 15 Health Care Professionals

Continued from page 14 their lives were saved as I sent them to the emergency room practice-based research network projects. for prompt and proper treatment. The original diagnoses Thomas has been married to his wife, Beverly, for forty- had been incorrectly made by their medical doctors, and I seven years. They have four children and five grandchildren had correctly made the proper diagnosis. This certainly and, in his spare time, Thomas enjoys gardening in their Ori- leaves you with a great feeling knowing that you did your job ental-style garden designed by Beverly. properly and knowing that all those long, hard hours of study and practice were all worthwhile.”

In 1972, he moved his practice from New York to Som- Joseph Campanella ‘56 graduated from Archbishop erset, MA. Frank married his high school sweetheart who Stepinac High School and St. Michael’s College in Vermont. was also a Crestwood resident, Ursula Kurkowski. She He graduated in 1968 from the passed away in 2008 of acute myeloblastic leukemia, but to- Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola gether they had one son and one daughter. Frank now has University Chicago. Joe followed one grandson, Thomas Francis, to keep him busy. In his that up with an internship at St. Vin- spare time, Frank enjoys bowling, bocce, playing cards, tak- cent’s Hospital in New York City and ing a drive on a nice, sunny day, and being with his family then did a three-year residency in and friends. He has recently decided to go back to work psychiatry at NY Hospital West- part-time, assisting the doctors who bought his practice. chester Division in White Plains, NY, where he was chief resident in his final year. Joseph Campanella Joe, who married his Annuncia- Bea Allis-Minion ‘63 went to St. Clare’s Academy and then tion classmate, Wendy DeRuvo, then to Fordham University School of Pharmacy for two years moved to upstate New York where he was an attending phy- before transferring to Albany College of Pharmacy. After sician in psychiatry at Glens Falls Hospital. The family then graduation, she worked as a hospital pharmacist for six years moved to Long Island where Joe was attending physician at at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and New York Hospital the VA Hospital and Medical Center in Northport until he before deciding to go back for her doctorate in clinical phar- became disabled in 1983. Joe passed away in 1988 at the age macy at University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA. of forty-five. After receiving her doc- torate, Bea began a career in Francis Tobia ‘57 retired last year after more than forty the pharmaceutical industry, years as a chiropractor. He is a graduate of Iona Prep and working at ICI Americas, Fordham University as well as New York Chiropractic Col- overseeing trials to get new lege. Frank decided to become a chiropractor after having drugs approved by the had low back pain for over FDA as well as new indica-

a year with no relief with tions for already approved “traditional” medicine. Af- drugs. Some of the trials ter only three chiropractic she worked on included treatments, all of his symp- those for Tamoxifen, Neu- toms had disappeared and it rontin, and Premarin. She Bea Allis-Minion and her was then that he decided also worked for Ciba-Geigy, husband, Alan. that this would be his pro- Ayerst/Wyeth, Parke- fession. Davis, and after retiring in 1995 did consulting work for Pfizer, GSK and several other companies. Frank says, “There Frank Tobia and his grandson, When asked why she wanted to go into the field of phar- Thomas were many satisfying mo- ments during my career, macy, Bea said, “I always enjoyed science and wanted to be especially after seeing patients get well after years of suffer- in a field where I could help develop new drugs or novel ing. The various age groups that were treated also will last in uses for older drugs.” my memories. In several instances, patients presented with Bea is now retired and living in Florida with her husband difficult symptoms and on quite a few of these instances, Continued on page 21 Page 16 The Annunciator

Pipe Organ added to “Cathedral of Crestwood”

On Sunday, December 23, bishing and moving it. Com- 2013, Bishop Dennis J. Sulli- prised of over 34 ranks of van came to say a very special pipes (2,000 pipes), the organ Mass and bless Annunciation was deemed to have “bright Church’s new pipe organ. In tones along French Classic addition, he blessed the refur- lines.” While the console was bished cornerstone, which deemed to be in poor condi- marks the end of a five-year tion, the pipes of the organ process of renewing and im- were deemed to be in excellent proving the parish facilities condition. through the generosity of pa- The Peragallo Pipe Organ rishioners who contributed to Company of Paterson, NJ was the Archdiocese of New the vendor selected to move, York’s Bicentennial Campaign. refurbish and install the organ. The pipe organ was originally installed at Fordham Uni- The terms “great organ, positif organ, swell organ and pedal versity’s Chapel. When it became known that it was avail- organ” became part of the lexicon of those involved in this able, Msgr. Dennis Keane, pastor of Annunciation, ap- project at the parish level. Consideration was given to organ proached Fr. Richard Baker, the director of music in the sounds that might be missing from the Fordham organ, but Archdiocese, to inquire about it. which would be beneficial to Annunciation. An “oboe Various companies came in to appraise the large organ stop,” a set of “strings” and a new “Trompette en Chamade” and to give their estimates on the appropriateness of refur- Continued on page 20

Memorable Teachers

Continued from page 5 to teach the children. Recently, she used her computer to Ryan did. Not only were the students able to repeat policies videotape a mock vice presidential debate between two advocated by both men, but they were also able to mimic man- eighth-grade students. Their homework assignment was to nerisms of the vice presidential candidates. “Teaching is a watch the vice presidential debates and to be able to answer constant learning process. Even teachers must keep learning questions just as Vice President Biden and Congressman in order to keep students interested,” Mrs. O’Neil said.

More Than Anything, We Want to Hear From You!

 What was your most memorable class trip? Where did you go and why was it memorable?

 Did you walk to school? Did you get a ride to school? A good number of today’s students are driven to school by car or bus. Tell us some tales of your trips to school.

Please email [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name and class year. February 2013 Page 17

A Review of the Alumni Database—Where We Live Over the summer, The Annunciator posted a simple ques- from four to ten graduates. You’ll find four graduates in tion to alumni on the school’s Facebook page: “Where do Indiana and five in Delaware. Minnesota has five Annun- you live?” The responses showed that a large number of An- ciation graduates, with two living in Minneapolis. Tennes- nunciation graduates still live in New York State, but that see is home to 6 as is Oregon, four of whom live in Port- many have branched out, both across the country and around land. Michigan has seven alumni as does Vermont, two of the globe. whom are sisters. Eight alumni live in

In many ways, the informal survey Rhode Island, and you can find two of revealed what the school has already them in Jamestown. New Mexico has known. For almost four years, Annun- also called to eight of our grads, with ciation School has been collecting two living in Albuquerque and another alumni information and creating a data- two in Santa Fe. Nevada has eight, and base. While the primary goal is to col- they are equally divided between Las lect email addresses for the purpose of Vegas and Henderson. Washington distributing this newsletter, this sharing State also has eight, three of whom live of information has helped alumni re- in Seattle. Ohio has ten, as does Mis- connect and has led to an increased souri, where half are split between the interest in reunions. Today, the data- cities of Kansas City and St. Louis. base boasts 3,215 alumni mailing ad- Washington, DC is home to at least 10 dresses and counting. alumni. Databases are funny things, espe- Georgia is home to less than a dozen cially in the 21st century. We are clearly no longer a station- graduates, and you’ll find more of them in Marietta (4) than ary people, although a large number of Annunciation gradu- in either Atlanta or Alpharetta (3 in each). In Colorado, ates have chosen to make their homes here in Crestwood, there are a baker’s dozen, and you can run into more than raise their families here and send their children to Annuncia- one in cities like Denver and Parker. New Hampshire also tion as well. (See the January 2010 edition of The Annunciator is home to 13 graduates, with two each living in Amherst, for a story on that). We trek to all the corners of the globe — Nashua and Northfield. Arizona lays claim to 14, and sometimes for a vacation, but other times to move there per- Scottsdale (5) seems to be most appealing to those who call manently. We have graduates living in Croatia, it home. Fifteen graduates have settled in Italy, England, Ireland, Australia and Tanzania. Illinois, and you’ll find as many in Naperville (See June 2011 edition of The Annunciator for (3) as you will in Chicago (3). Texas is home that story.) But most importantly, a database is A quick sort through to 16 alumni. Only Houston (6) can claim a a moving target. The minute you think you the database shows that cluster of Annunciation graduates. South have everything up-to-date, someone moves. Carolina has 17 of our alumni, and Mt. we are certainly spread Pleasant must live up to its name, because A quick sort through the database shows four of them live there! that we are spread throughout the United throughout the United States, touching at least 43 of the 50 states, States, touching at least Maryland has about 40 graduates, and plus the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 43 of the 50 states, there are lots of places where at least two where 2 graduates live. From Washington state former Annunciation students have settled, (8 graduates) to West Virginia (1 graduate), our plus the Commonwealth including Annapolis, Arnold, Baltimore, alumni cover the country. of Puerto Rico, where 2 Chevy Chase, Ellicot City, Kensington, Rockville, Severna Park and Silver Spring. Some states only have a single Annuncia- graduates live. Bethesda comes out the winner with four tion graduate living there: Oklahoma, Ala- Annunciation grads in residence. North bama, West Virginia and Montana. Idaho and Carolina is home to 45 alumni, with the Utah have just two graduates, with both Utah most living in Raleigh (8), Cary (5), Charlotte (4) and residents live in Park City. Wisconsin, Maine, Iowa, Hawaii, Mooresville (3). Louisiana and Kentucky each have 3. There must be some- thing special about Prospect, KY, because all three of that Virginia has 52 alumni residents. With so many, it isn’t state’s Annunciation residents live in that town. surprising to see a few clusters. Alexandria has seven. Norfolk and Williamsburg both have four. There are three There are plenty of other states where there are anywhere Continued on page 24 Page 18 The Annunciator

New Faces at the School

Annunciation School welcomed seven new teachers and related. She likes yoga, running and skiing. She is sharing teaching assistants in September, one of whom is Jacqueline her love of soccer by coaching a girl’s soccer team at the Reda, a member of the Class of 2000. LMK middle school in Harrison. She is also busy planning Yaroslawa Perich is a new fourth-grade teacher. She has her November wedding to Joseph Ferreira. been a teacher in the Archdiocese for over twenty years, Asked what she likes about teaching at Annunciation, having taught 4th, 6th and 8th grades at St. Bartholomew’s Janelle says, “The community is very organized, and every- School in Yonkers, a school which was closed by the Arch- one contributes. Parental involvement is very high here, diocese in 2011. She is a graduate which is not the case in many places.”

of Mercy College and LIU, where she majored in speech and ele- Ashley Lear is the new music teacher who will also be mentary education. handling all of the long-standing school musical traditions Yaroslawa is a resident of such as the Christmas and spring concerts, First Friday Westchester County and a parish- Masses and the drama production. She grew up in Indiana ioner at St. Michael’s Ukrainian and graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Catholic Church, where she also music education and a specialty in chorale music. Ashley teaches CCD and is the President received a master’s in theology from St. Vladimir’s Ortho- of the Sacred Heart Society. In dox Theological Seminary where she was the director of the her spare time, she enjoys reading Sunday School program and Yaroslawa Perich and spending time with her fam- director of the Byzantine ily. Choir. When asked what she likes about Annunciation, Yaro- In addition to her teach- slawa says, “The students are amazing. They are friendly, ing position at Annuncia- warm and always eager to learn. The faculty and staff, along tion, Ashley teaches private with Mrs. Noonan and Ms. McHale, have been very wel- voice and piano lessons and coming and tremendously eased my transition into Annun- is the choir director of St. ciation School.” She adds, “I have always taught in Catholic Mary Magdelen Orthodox schools because my faith is so important to me. Sharing my Church in Manhattan. In faith with my students is something I really enjoy doing.” her spare time, Ashley en- joys running, singing opera Ashley Lear Janelle Forster is a new sixth-grade homeroom teacher as and jazz, and volunteering well as a level math instructor for 6th through 8th grades. for a weekly “soup run” that Janelle, who is originally from Long Island, comes to An- visits the homeless in the Penn Station area in Manhattan. nunciation from St. Ignatius Loyola in Hicksville. She is She came to Annunciation because she fell in love with familiar with Westchester, having received her undergradu- the Crestwood community when she began her studies at St. ate degree in liberal studies with concentrations in math and Vladimir's. “I walked to and from class and just loved the education and a minor in stu- neighborhood. I had fond memories of attending Catholic dio art at Manhattanville Col- school as a child, and I knew that teaching would be the best lege. She was also a four-year way for me to have music in my life.” member of the soccer team at Being at Annunciation has been wonderful. Ashley says, Manhattanville. She has a “The teachers have been very warm and welcoming. As the NYS certification, as well a music teacher, the projects I work on are high profile in the graduate degree in mathemat- school community, and the faculty has been especially help- ics education. ful in supporting my efforts, most recently in the Christmas In her position as home- concert and pageant. The children are great, too. They are room teacher, Janelle is re- so enthusiastic about music and have been willing to try new sponsible for teaching sixth- things with me.” grade religion and reading.

When she isn’t teaching, Janelle likes all things fitness Continued on page 19 Janelle Forster February 2013 Page 19

New Faces at the School

Continued from page 18 Coming to Annunciation was a Carol Monaghan is Annunciation’s part-time librarian for natural decision for Jacqueline. grades Pre-K through 4th. She was born in Yonkers and She had enjoyed her education grew up in Hasting-on-Hudson and is a graduate of Hast- here, desired a job teaching in a ings High School. Carol earned a B.S. in elementary educa- school where religion was part of tion at SUNY Oneonta before attending Manhattanville the curriculum and generally, College, where she received her master’s in special educa- “liked the atmosphere” at the tion. Carol previously taught 1st grade at St. Francis Xavier school. “Everyone here has a nice in the Bronx. She also taught way about them.” She is an assis- pre-school at Christian Pre- tant in a kindergarten class with School at The Dobbs Ferry twenty-three students. Lutheran Church. In the sum- When not teaching, Jacqueline Jacqueline Reda mer, you can find her working likes movies, spending time with the zip-line at Camp Hillard in her family, especially her niece and nephew, and reading. She Scarsdale. has already traded a few books with other faculty members. Carol has been married to her college sweetheart, James, Andrea Lipscomb-Ortiz grew up in Tuckahoe and gradu- for twenty-five years, and they ated from Tuckahoe High School before attending Lehman have a 17-year-old son and an College, where she earned a bachelor’s in mass communica- 11-year-old daughter. In her tions. She then attended Mercy College, where she received Carol Monaghan spare time, Carol loves to her master’s degree in early childhood education. watch the Yankees, Giants and Knicks. She also enjoys reading In addition to working at Annunciation, Andrea works at a and spending time at the beach. local learning center in the afternoons and weekends. When she isn’t working, she is spending time with her husband and “I am so honored to be a part of Annunciation School. her son. Everyone has been so welcoming, and the faculty and staff are so dedicated. The students are so bright and always ea- “I wanted to help children ger to learn. It is such a wonderful, family-oriented commu- learn the way my fourth-grade nity with a strong emphasis on church and school. I am teacher taught me, and the way thrilled to be here,” said Carol. my college professor taught me,” says Andrea about why she se- lected teaching as a career. “My Three kindergarten teaching assistants were hired as fourth-grade teacher showed me well. Jacqueline Reda ‘00 , Andrea Lipscomb-Ortiz and patience, and my college profes- Anne Ehrmanntraut each have a master’s degree in early sor taught me that teaching is childhood education. fun and does not feel like work.” Jacqueline Reda is a graduate of Annunciation (Class of Andrea’s kindergarten class has 2000), The Ursuline School and the University of Rhode Andrea Lipscomb-Ortiz 24 students. Andrea says, Island where she majored in human development and fam- “Teaching is special at Annuncia- ily studies and minored in psychology. tion, because we pray with the students every day and bring After graduating college, Jacqueline went to culinary them to church for school liturgies.” school and was a pastry chef for two years at a bakery in Scarsdale before deciding that she wanted a change in ca- Anne Ehrmanntraut was born in Rockaway Beach, NY reers. “I had always enjoyed working with children. When and grew up in White Plains. She graduated from White I realized that lots of people, who had majored in the same Plains High School and attended Pace University-Pleasantville things as I had in college, had gone into teaching, I thought Campus, where she obtained her B.S. in criminal justice. that it might be a nice fit for me as well, “ she said, adding Anne then attended The College of New Rochelle, where she “The hours are a lot better than being a baker, too!” She earned a master’s in education. enrolled at Pace University, where she received her master’s in education. Continued on page 20 Page 20 The Annunciator

New Church Organ

Continued from page 16 unusual place from which to have to project the sound. were all added to the organ to provide important sound and Parish organist Taffy Williams says, “The organ is a won- visual effects that would be beneficial during normal liturgies derful addition and a vast improvement over what we’ve or weddings. The costs of the project were paid, in large had. We were very fortunate to be able to bring this organ part, from the Bicentennial Campaign funds. here and refurbish it.” Taffy describes the organ as being In addition to refurbishing the organ, the company had “very rich in color which makes up for deficiencies in color to incorporate the instrument into the church in a seamless that we have had. The organ adds a whole new dimension way. The pipes, installed at the back of the church with cus- to music at the church. It will serve the church well for tom oak casework, blend perfectly with the existing church many decades to come.” woodwork. The molding profiles and gothic arches also incorporate architectural details of the church. Monsignor Keane says that many people have stopped New Faces at the School him to praise the new organ. “They say what a wonderful addition it is and Continued from page 19 how proud we must be to have such a fine instru- Anne taught for two years ment. They say at Bronxville Montessori that the music School before coming to An- sounds so much nunciation. She also has better with this taught swimming to beginner- new organ.” He level swimmers at the Rye also noted that YMCA for several years. while the bulk of Anne says, “The sense of Bishop Sullivan and Monsignor Keane the project took community at Annunciation approximately six gave me a very positive im- months to complete, there will be follow up by the Peragallo pression of the school, parish Anne Ehrmanntraut Company as the organ is “fine tuned” to the church. and surrounding community. The existing church organ will also be refurbished so that From my first day, everyone was so welcoming, including the music in the church can be adjusted to suit a particular staff members, teachers, parents and students. It is a pleas- need. Interestingly, the sound for the existing organ has ure to come to work every day to do what I love—teach always come from an area behind the choir room, a very children.”

Upcoming Articles

Do you have a favorite saint? Have you ever held elected office? Are you a lawyer?

If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, please email [email protected] so that you can be interviewed for an upcoming article. February 2013 Page 21

Health Care Professionals Continued from page 15 improvement, management training, labor and other hospital of 25 years, Alan Minion. She has learned to play golf, bridge operation cost reduction and profitability improvement. and canasta for entertainment and has been involved with Rich believes that the last twenty years have presented several charities. Bea and Alan enjoy traveling and just re- many challenges in health care and that many of these chal- turned from their third trip to Australia. lenges are market driven and regional and relate to reim- bursement. “Because reimbursements can be fixed based on Gerald A. Paccione, Jr. ‘63 is a professor of clinical medi- the procedure being done, there is added pressure on health cine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. After graduat- care providers to manage costs. The current massive inter- ing from Annunciation, Jerry at- vention into health care by the federal government will place added pressure on providers,” says Rich. tended Fordham Prep and Yale College. He is a graduate of Har- Rich is a graduate of Conestoga High School in Berwyn, vard Medical School and completed PA, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and Eastern his residency training at Columbia- University, where he received an MBA in business opera- Presbyterian Medical Center. tions in 1984. He and his wife, Joanne, live in Dardenne With a lifelong commitment to Prairie, MO with their two international health, poverty medi- daughters, Anna and Adele, and cine and human rights, Jerry is the their yellow lab, The Mick. director of Global Health Educa- Rich is a lifelong Yankees tion for the Primary Care and Social fan and has been playing, Internal Medicine Residency pro- coaching or umpiring baseball Gerald Paccione, Jr. gram at Montefiore Medical Center, or softball since he was eight where he had previously served as years old, including playing ball the director of the Primary Care Program and the Social In- at the NCAA Division II level. ternal Medicine Program. He has served on the board of His daughters have inherited his Rich Linderman directors of Doctors for Global Health, Doctors of the love for the sport. Anna is a World, and the Global Health Education Consortium, and in junior pre-med major at Culver- recent years, has worked in Vietnam, Chile, Bosnia and Stockton College in Canton, MO on a partial softball schol- Uganda. Most of his work presently is in Uganda. Jerry was arship, and Adele, who is a junior at St. Dominic High previously an assistant professor of community medicine at School in O’Fallon, MO, is currently being considered by a CCNY's Biomed Program, and a Robert Wood Johnson number of Division I softball teams. Scholar in clinical epidemiology at Yale University. Jerry has also been recognized by his peers. He has twice Paul Guerrino ‘67 graduated from Iona Prep and University been named Teacher of the Year by the Montefiore house of Bridgeport before enrolling in New York University’s staff. He has received the same honor from the Einstein Dental School. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Boston student body (the Samuel Rosen Award) and the Einstein University’s School of Periodontics, and from there gradu- faculty (the Harry Gordon Award). In 1997, he was named ated from NYU’s School of Implantology. the Mid-Atlantic Clinician-Educator of the Year by the Soci- Paul has been a practicing dentist since 1985. He opened ety of General Internal Medicine. his own practice, Guerrino Den- tistry & Associates, in 1987, in Mt. Rich Linderman ‘66 has been in the health care field since Vernon. After expanding his 1990, working in community hospitals, major medical cen- practice in Mt. Vernon, Paul ters, faith-based hospitals and investor-owned hospitals. He opened a location in Scarsdale in has had his own consulting company and is currently em- 1990 and another location in ployed by Tenet Healthcare which is one of the largest in- Armonk in 2004. In 2009, Paul vestor-owned health care delivery systems in the nation, with opened an office in Hartsdale fifty hospitals in ten states. As a senior operations specialist with his wife, Dr. Afshan Ahmed. in the performance management and innovation area, his The dental interest runs deep in main focus is business operations of the hospitals. This area the family, apparently, as Paul’s includes labor productivity management, work flow process Paul Guerrino Continued on page 22 Page 22 The Annunciator

Health Care Professionals

Continued from page 21 versity of California, San Diego School of Medicine. She sister, Lora, is also a dentist and is an associate in the Mt. graduated from there in 1986 and followed that with a neu- Vernon office. Guerrino Dentistry & Associates currently rology residency and a fellowship in dementing disorders. has fifty employees. In addition to being a professor at the University of Cali- Paul is active in national and international professional fornia, San Diego School of Medicine, Jody is at the fore- organizations, including the American College of Oral Im- front of clinical research on the causes and treatment of de- plantology and the International Congress of Oral Implan- mentia and other neurodegenerative conditions associated tologists. He is also a member of the NYU Implant Study with Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease and multiple Club and a member of the American Dental Association. sclerosis. Her research has yielded 57 research articles, 11 Paul is a member of the Executive Association in West- review articles, 32 books or book chapters and 2 conference chester, a group that raises money for children with cancer, proceedings for a total of over 100 referred publications in and is associated with hospitals such as The Maria Fareri her career. Children’s Hospital and Blythdale Children’s Hospital, both Her clinical activities are conducted at UCSD Medical in Valhalla, as well as others. Center, the clinic for the Genetically Handicapped Persons Paul’s decision to be a dentist was made when, as a thir- Program and the VA Hospital. She serves as director of the teen-year-old, he worked in a dental clinic on the lower west Multiple Sclerosis Center at the UCSD Medical Center and side of Manhattan. “The dentist communicated well with the Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence at UCSD. me, and I liked the field of dentistry, because I saw a lot of In her spare time, Jody and her husband, Floyd, love to opportunity there,” he said. travel. They have recently returned from a trip to the Chil- In his spare time, Paul enjoys good food, travel and exer- ean fiords, Patagonia, and Argentina. cise. He loves to entertain, play the drums to both rock and roll and blues music, and play golf. Paul and Afshan are Jeanne Marconi ‘72 is a pediatrician and also CEO of The parents to a 9-month-old daughter, Misha. He has two Center for Advanced Pediatrics, a practice comprised of other sons by his previous marriage. Joseph is 25 and Julian eleven doctors serving patients in Norwalk, Darien and is 23. Both are studying to be dentists, and Paul is con- Ridgefield, CT. “From a very young age, I wanted to be- vinced that Misha will study dentistry as well! come a pediatrician,” says Guerrino Dentistry and Associates believes in giving back Jeanne. “As a child, I received a to the community and helping those who are not as fortu- doctor’s kit (many of you re- nate. They are working on the Hurricane Sandy Project but member the blue plastic box, the welcome other people who are in need. Please go their web red little candy pills, the plastic site at www.guerrinodentistry.com or call Dr. Guerrino di- shot and hammer and, of course, rectly at 914-420-7083. a red stethoscope) almost yearly.” Jody Corey-Bloom ‘67 is described as being a master of As a teenager, growing up in “expertise and balance among the competing and comple- Westchester County, Jeanne vol- mentary demands of research, teaching and patient care.” unteered at Lawrence Hospital Initially earning a Ph.D. in anat- on the children’s unit, reaffirm- omy with research on the olfac- ing her career path. After at- tory systems of birds and squir- Jeanne Marconi tending Manhattan College, Uni- rel monkeys, she next pursued a versidad del Noreste in Mexico study of cellular organization in and then New York Medical College, her pediatric training sea sponges in Basel, Switzer- took place at North Shore University Hospital – Cornell. land and in Woods Hole, MA. General pediatrics was always her interest, especially the She was captivated by the emotional and psychosocial well-being of, not only children, promise of that work on normal but also their families. and abnormal cell structure and Community is extremely important to Jeanne and she has function for treatment of hu- participated on many community boards, organizations and man diseases. It was at this in advocacy roles. Jeanne was president of the Connecticut point that she entered the Uni- Jody Corey-Bloom Continued on page 23 February 2013 Page 23

Health Care Professionals

Continued from page 22 studied chemistry. He then went to Villanova University, chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for earned a master’s degree in organic chemistry and got a job six years. She has also participated in many hospital activi- as a chemist at Sterling Drugs, a subsidiary of Kodak. ties at Norwalk Hospital including being on the Medical Ex- Though he enjoyed working as a chemist, he wanted to ecutive Committee, Credentials Committee and Pediatric advance his career in the pharmaceutical sector. He also Executive Committee. She is currently on the AAP’s Sec- noticed that many people were coming to the United States tion on Practice and Management, which is responsible for from other countries who were chemists, biologists and en- finding innovative ways to provide quality, consistency and gineers, who were willing to comprehensive success in pediatric practice. work in the same industry for Jeanne is supported by her family, including her hus- less money. In addition, many band, Michael Holloway, her son, Alec, and her two step- technical jobs were being out- children, Jane and Sam. The family also has a yellow lab sourced. named Cody. So Gary when to law school at Temple University at night. Jeffrey Paccione ‘74 attended Iona Prep and then gradu- He says, “I am grateful that I ated from Fordham University before heading to a post- have been able to work on baccalaureate program at Columbia University and enrolling some very interesting projects in Medical School at Columbia. He completed his intern- over the years. While some may ship in internal medicine at Harbor UCLA Medical Center not find science and technology and became an internist at Hawthorne Community Medical to be exciting and glamorous, I Group in Hawthorne, CA. was able to assist Nobel laure- Gary Speier ates in obtaining patents, and I Jeff returned to Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital have travelled across the globe on many occasions for busi- in Manhattan, NY to do his residency in ophthalmology ness (Europe, India, China, Japan, Korea and Singapore).” from 1992 to 1995 and completed a fellowship in vitroretinal diseases at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Andrea Doria ‘82 graduated from Annunciation and Maria 1998. In addition to being a mem- Regina High School. A cheerleader at Annunciation, she ber of the NYS Medical Society, continued cheerleading at Maria Regina. Andrea graduated Jeff is a member of the American from Iona College, where she was a founding sister of the Academy of Ophthalmology and Phi Gamma Chi sorority, which is dedicated to enhancing the American Society of Retina religious and cultural awareness at the college. She received Specialists. He has been a clinical her bachelor’s degree in communications in 1990. instructor at NYU Medical Center, Andrea immediately enrolled at Eugenio Maria De Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat and Hostos Community College, Mount Sinai. Jeffrey Paccione receiving an applied associate’s Jeff has been named “Attending degree in science in dental of the Year, Ophthalmology” at Mount Sinai Medical Cen- hygiene. She became very ter in two successive years. He is currently an associate clini- passionate about being in cal professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and a clinical the world of dentistry, becom- attending at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and Manhat- ing a member of the American tan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. He is also in private prac- Dental Hygienists’ Association, tice with Retina Associates of New York, which has offices and active member and board in Manhattan, New Rochelle and Forest Hills, NY. In his member on the New York spare time, Jeff likes to play tennis, travel and read. He also chapter, where she has lobbied participates in international medical missions. Andrea Doria in Albany. Andrea also began teaching part-time at the David B. Kreiser College of Dentistry at New York University, Gary Speier ‘80 is a patent attorney with a focus on phar- which meshed with her interest in clinical practice. maceuticals and medical devices. After graduating from Iona Prep, Gary went to Fordham University, where he Continued on page 25 Page 24 The Annunciator

Where We Live

Continued from page 17 graduates living in Arlington, Fairfax Station, Falls Church, 10707 zip code and how they identify the place were they Herndon and Reston. live. Do they say “Crestwood,” or “Tuckahoe” or Almost sixty graduates live in Pennsylvania. You’ll find “Yonkers”? So it is possible that some of the Yonkers and the most Annunciation graduates in Bethlehem (4), Dowing- some of the Tuckahoe graduates do live in the Crestwood ton (3) and Pittsburgh (3). Also coming in with slightly neighborhood. Yonkers, without a doubt, has a tremendous more than 60 residents is Massachusetts (63) with certain presence in the database. Every Yonkers zip code is repre- towns having at least two graduates: Andover, Arlington, sented, with 10710 having the largest representation. Attleboro, Cohasset, Edgartown, Scituate and Wellesley, but A database is an ever-changing thing and this is no scien- Acton has three as does North Andover, and Boston has tific study, but it does point out how far across the country four. and globe Annunciation graduates have spread. If you’ve California boasts a whopping 73 graduates, with San ever heard of “6 Degrees of Separation,” you know that it’s Francisco (10) being the city that is the biggest draw for for- entirely possible that no matter where you are in the country, mer Annunciation students. it might only take 2 or 3 degrees to get you back to Annun- ciation School in Crestwood, NY! There are four states that are home to over 100 gradu- ates. The sand and sun of Florida have beckoned more than 130 former students who have settled in places like Boca Raton, Naples, Orlando, Port St. Lucie and Sarasota, to Catholic Schools Week name a few. New Jersey lays claim to over 120 graduates. You will find at least three in each of the following towns Continued from page 3 and cities: Flemington, Metuchen, Montville, Mountain learned about whales, sailfish, eels, crabs, turtles and sharks. Lakes and Rivervale. Ridgewood, NJ has the most, with a Wednesday also included a pair-and-share activity where total of six alumni. Connecticut is now home to over 200 older students were paired with younger students for activi- graduates, and you can find more than ten living in each of ties such as the fifth- the towns of Wilton, Weston, Stamford, Ridgefield, Green- graders helping first- wich, Fairfield and Danbury. graders write cards to Not surprisingly, the state of New York has the most their parents thanking Annunciation graduates. More than sixty percent of the data- them for sending them to base lists a New York address. You’ll find more than ten Catholic school. Sixth- each in the towns and cities of Brewster, Briarcliff Manor, graders helped kinder- the Bronx, Brooklyn, Bronxville, Carmel, Cortland Manor, garteners make Valen- Hartsdale, Ossining, Mahopac, Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle, tine’s Day cards for a Manhattan, Pelham, Pleasantville, Port Chester, Rye, Scars- nursing/rehabilitation dale, Somers, Tarrytown, White Plains and Yorktown home. Another example Heights. Crestwood is home to the largest numbers of Some crazy ties! of a pair-and-share activ- graduates, which isn’t surprising when you consider that we ity was when the fourth- have graduated over 460 students in the last eight years, who graders helped the Pre-K make mailboxes for their Valen- would only be high school or college-aged now, and the vast tine’s Day cards during the letters “Mm” week. majority of those students hail from Crestwood. When Thursday arrived, one might have thought that As previously mentioned, Crestwood has become home someone had been playing games with the school calendar. to a large number of graduates who have also raised their Thursday was the Halloween carnival, a long-standing An- children here. There are members, sometimes multiple nunciation event that had been postponed due to the members, of the classes of 1948, ‘52, ‘58, ‘59, ‘61, ‘62, 1966 school’s closing following the damage and power outages through 1973, ‘75, 1977 through 1986, ‘88, ‘91 and ‘93 who created by Superstorm Sandy. have made their homes here. Many have children and have By Friday, students were back in full uniform and parents sent their children to Annunciation School as well. were invited to visit their child’s classroom between 8:40 and Yonkers, as a whole, and Tuckahoe also hold substantial 9:45 a.m. After that, they were invited to join the entire numbers of graduates, according to the database. As we all school for 10 a.m. Mass, and the students were dismissed at know, there is always some question about those in the noon. February 2013 Page 25

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Continued from page 23 One example took place in the ER when a 16-year-old mo- Andrea was called to serve as a member of the NYC Of- torcycle victim came in with severe injuries. He arrived at fice of Chief Medical Examiner’s Dental Identification Team the ER as a “John Doe.” When the sheriff arrived and gave for the World Trade Center investigation, which she did for Lisa the patient’s identification, it was up to Lisa to help find six months. immediate relatives. With a bit of luck, the first person that Andrea was then recruited into the executive business Lisa called was the patient’s mother. “That night was differ- coaching world and taught dental offices, both on a national ent from any other. I became attached to the patient and his and international level, how to have successful practices. family. While it was touch and go for him—he was in a She has published in dental trade magazines and does speak- coma for many days—I visited him and became friends with ing engagements sponsored by dental companies. his mother. She calls me his “Angel,” and I am still in touch with this family. That young man is now 20 years old and in Andrea is the proud mother of 6-year-old twin girls. She college, doing amazingly well. I received a letter from his lives in Norwalk, CT. family thanking me for what I thought was the smallest thing, yet it made a tremendous difference to them when Lisa Nisco ‘83 has seventeen years of experience working they were in the ER. That is an amazing feeling.” in emergency rooms on the administrative side of health care. She is currently employed at St. Joseph’s Baycare Hos- pital in Tampa, FL, where she is a medical administrative Elizabeth Lazor McKean ‘86 graduated from The Ursuline assistant. On any given day, Lisa can be called upon to han- School and Pace University with a B.S. in nursing. She dle registration, triage, collections, admitting or be a financial chose to be a nurse because she truly enjoys caring for peo- counselor. ple. “I was also told that I’d always be able to find a job, and that has luckily been true for me,” says Leeza. “Since my Lisa recalled her decision to get into health care. “In husband, Jim, is a veterinarian, and trained at the University 1983, my mother died of colon cancer five days after being of Tennessee and then did a residency in Boston, we have diagnosed. As I got older, I was always drawn to this field moved around quite a bit, and I have always been able to and wanted to give back as find a job wherever we were.” much as I could. I have three cousins who were nurses, and Leeza has worked in many areas of nursing including they helped me get my foot in adult cardiac, pediatric cardiac and medical/surgical. While the door at Mt. Vernon Hos- she found those areas challenging, they were very stressful. pital emergency room in Leeza felt burned out working in an environment where 1997. During my first over- people were dying or extremely sick. This was especially night shift, we had a trauma true in pediatric cardiac medicine. patient arrive—a 6-month-old When her family, including daughters Caroline and Gra- boy who died, and I wasn't cie, moved back to the New York area, the family decided to sure if this field was going to buy a house in Connecticut, and Leeza got a job in Danbury be the right choice for me Hospital in the Family Birth Center. She now works in post- because my emotions would partum, well baby nursery, and the NICU and loves her job, Lisa Nisco get the best of me.” which now is filled with mostly positive events. After some reflection, Lisa decided that she wanted to be a nurse. However, life got in Leeza says, “I can honestly say, that I feel lucky every the way, and she never made it to nursing school. Lisa, who time I am working. I get to be a part of people’s lives as went to Our Lady of Victory Academy after Annunciation, they welcome their child into the world. I get to teach them, moved to Italy for three years shortly after her mother’s laugh with them, and cry with them. My job is rewarding, death. When she returned to the United States, she went happy, fun and challenging, all at once. I am really lucky to back to OLVA and finished high school. After that, she have settled in this area of nursing.” went to Iona College, transferring to Westchester Commu- nity College, where she studied liberal and fine arts. She Marina Castellanos ‘91 is a pediatric physical therapist who moved to Florida, where she completed her education, re- works with children who have developmental delays. A ceiving her associate’s degree in business management. graduate of The Ursuline School and Quinnipiac University, Lisa gets a great deal of satisfaction from doing her job. Continued on page 26 Page 26 The Annunciator

Health Care Professionals

Continued from page 25 learning new things when working with this population.” Marina received her master’s in physical therapy in 2001. Nursing appealed to Helena because she knew it would “My father was a medical doctor, so I always had a strong be a great job that would offer her many opportunities. She familiarity with the medical profession. I knew that I wanted still uses her background in exercise physiology to teach peo- to be part of a professional community that helped to ple more about disease prevention and health promotion improve the daily lives of patients and their families. Physi- through exercise and lifestyle changes. “I feel that my back- cal therapy was the perfect fit,” says Marina, who lives in ground in exercise physiology helps me to be a better nurse, Scarsdale. She provides private PT evaluation and treatment because I can see and understand the huge impact that our services in both the home and pediatric gym settings for lifestyle choices have on our health. There are so many chal- children throughout lower Westchester County. She also lenges people face in health care that can be avoided if we provides services through the Center For Small Jewels, Inc. educate people better on their own bodies and the power in New Rochelle, NY. that they have to keep themselves healthy,” she says. After Marina had finished Helena recently learned to appreciate nursing from a new her coursework, she had a two- perspective. “Going into nursing, I realized that my job is to month internship at St. Agnes help people in their time of need. No matter what is going Children’s Rehabilitation Cen- on in my life, I learn to leave that at the door and focus on ter in White Plains, NY. It was my patient and their needs. This summer I became a new there that she realized that she mom, and after giving birth, I had to be a patient. The loved the experience of work- nurses that I had were so kind and helpful. They made me ing with children and, subse- feel so comfortable in my time of need. It wasn't until this quently, accepted a full time time that I realized what an impact we have as nurses. Yes, position there when she be- people send you gifts and cards and thank you, but all this came licensed. time, I never really understood how much they meant it. I Her most memorable suc- Marina Castellanos always knew my job was important, but being a vulnerable cess was during her first year as patient made me see how much greater and more meaning- a PT when a three-year-old girl ful our job is, and I became more proud than ever to be an with various developmental challenges began walking inde- RN.” pendently after six months of therapy. “The little girl was so excited, and I was so happy to have been able to help her achieve this major accomplishment!” Since then, Marina has Laura Romeo ‘01 is a child life specialist at Weill Cornell worked with many children, including the children of An- Medical Center and a certified infant massage instructor. nunciation alumni. She graduated from The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry and When not at work, Marina enjoys yoga, singing, cooking spent her freshman year at Johns Hopkins University before and learning new things. She is currently working on a Reiki transferring to Cornell University-College of Human Ecol- level one certification. ogy and graduating in 2009 with a B.S. in human biology, health, and society. Laura completed her M.S. in child life at Bank Street College of Education last year. Helena Sharkey Kirk ‘95 graduated from Our Lady of During her undergraduate career, Laura was on the pre- Good Counsel Academy before heading to Springfield Col- medical route, however, during 2008, she became a Cornell lege in Springfield, MA, where she earned a bachelor’s in Urban Scholar and received a scholarship to spend a sum- exercise physiology. She received a master’s degree in the mer in New York City as a child life intern at Weill Cornell same subject from Adelphi University and did an accelerated Medical Center on the pediatric inpatient unit. Laura says, program at New York University for her bachelor’s in nurs- “During that time, I fell in love with the child life field, a ing. profession that involves helping infants, children, and fami- Helena currently works at New York-Presbyterian, Co- lies navigate traumatic health care experiences through play, lumbia recovery room where she specializes in Critical Care creativity, expression, and support. Post graduation, after I Nursing and is a certified CCRN (Critical Care RN). She completed a year in Americorps, I was hired at Weill Cornell worked in intensive care for the first three years of her ca- Medical Center as a child life assistant. While working on reer and enjoyed the fast-paced challenge of critical care. my master’s, I completed two child life internships, as part Helena says, “It keeps you thinking, and you are always Continued on page 28 February 2013 Page 27

Reunion News

SAVE THE DATE Saturday April 27, 2013

Classes of 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993 and 1998, your reunion has been set for April 27, 2013!

Please make sure that we have your email so that we can provide you with information about the plans as they become available. Send your name, year and mailing address by email to [email protected]

Class of 1968 Graduation Photo Mystery Solved!

In the last newsletter, we asked for help iden- tifying the little tyke on the right of this pic- ture who was captured with the Class of 1968 after their graduation. That little boy has been identified as John Gormley ‘74, brother of the late Mary Gormley Martin, who was a member of the graduating class.

Order your Annunciation Alumni T-shirt or Hat!! They Make a Great Gift!

Annunciation graduate, Ashtyn Lange ‘11, models the An- nunciation alumni T-shirt and baseball cap. You too can identify yourself as a proud Annunciation graduate! Order the baseball cap for $15 or the T-shirt for $10, plus postage. The baseball cap is size adjustable and T-shirts are avail- able in large and extra-large. Proceeds go to support our alumni program. Email [email protected] or call 914-337-3953 to place your order today! Page 28 The Annunciator

Have a Mass Said for a Health Care Professionals Special Intention Continued from page 26 at Annunciation of my certification, at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center, a pediatric home for medically fragile children, and at Belle- The Annunciation Parish Mass Book has intentions avail- vue Hospital Center.” able for weekday Masses at 6:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. If you Laura’s goals are to assess and support the normal would like to have a Mass said for a family member or psychosocial development of children, prepare and support former parishioner, please call the parish secretary, Jeanne patients during invasive procedures, augment family coping Doran, at (914) 779-7345 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. skills, and educate patients and families on maintaining and 3:00 p.m. healthy lifestyles. She also teaches infant massage to care- givers in the clinic. Laura has found that when Deaths working with children who have had a traumatic life event, she Please pray for the repose of the soul of the follow- often has to lead with her heart. ing alumnus: “One particular teenager I worked with had experienced an Alfred Amend ‘49, sibling of Adelaide ‘50, Kathleen anoxic brain injury which caused ‘57, Clare ‘59, Mary, and the late Margaret and Myles him to lose much of his cogni- tive ability,” recalls Laura. “His injury left him unable to move, We also pray for the souls of the following family of and it was assumed by many that alumni: he could not see or hear any- more, or at least process the Beth Corbett, mother of Elizabeth ‘73, Cathleen, ‘75, stimuli in his brain. After spend- Monica ‘77 and Philip ‘82 ing time with this patient, I felt though that there was more in Laura Romeo Richard Mahig, father of Nicole ‘07, Richard and Lindsey him than he had the ability to show us.” William Dealy, father of William ‘87, Cliff ‘90, John ‘91 and “I spent a good deal of time with this patient, taking him Danielle ‘94 on walks in his wheelchair and talking to him as if he were a typical teenager. One day on our walk, I made a joke and Andrew O’Rourke, father of Alice ‘68, Andrew ‘70 and he laughed at me. After some more tests, I knew that he Aileen ‘73 could hear and that he had some cognitive ability. I found out from his family that he loved Rihanna and Bob Marley Edward McSherry, father of Maureen ‘79, John ‘81, Christo- music, so we started to listen to music together and his pher ‘83 and Brian ‘84 huge smiles and attempts to talk helped other staff mem- bers see that he was still there. I am so thankful that he felt comfortable enough to express himself to me. It was an Thomas Freeburn, father of Christopher ‘84 honor to work with him.”

Michael DeSola, father of Michele ‘80, Michael ‘82, Damian ‘88, Thomas ‘90 and Ryan ‘96 and grandfather to Annuncia- tion graduates JT ‘07, Macklin ‘12 and Mackenzie ‘15

Marian Cahill, mother of Vincent, Lawrence ‘59, June ‘64, Jeanne ‘65, Marian ‘66, Joan ‘69, Mary Grace ‘70, Bernadette ‘72, Fulton ‘73, Joseph ‘75 and the late Suzanne Happy Valentine’s Day! February 2013 Page 29

Milestones Milestone Spotlight Births Christopher Finn Mylod Lisa Sershen ‘92 and her husband, John Fernandez, christened their daughter Kara Duffy Mylod '97 on October 21, 2012 at and her husband, Brian, Annunciation. Elise Marie welcomed a son, Chris- Fernandez was born on topher Finn, on Octo- May 26, 2012 and weighed ber 4, 2012. Finn, as he in at 6 lbs., 13 ozs. Her will be known, weighed godmother is her Aunt Keri Sershen ‘91. in at 8lbs., 12oz. and measured 21 inches long. The family resides Joan Cahill Louney Wake- in Atlanta, GA but man ‘69 is now a grandmother. christened Finn at An- Her grandson, Ryan Terence nunciation over the holidays. Caitlin Duffy ‘97, Kara’s Forbes, was born on September twin sister, was Finn’s Godmother. 28, at 23 inches long and weigh- Kara and Brian, who were married at Annunciation in ing in at 9 lbs., 3 ozs. Joan is May 2011, met thrilled! when both worked at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. Prior to Denise Moran Horton ‘99 Finn’s birth, Kara and her husband, Matthew, was working at welcomed their first child on Flywheel, a cycling December 20th. Aidan studio in Atlanta. Shane made his appearance Brian is an equity at 6:11 p.m. and weighed 8 salesman for KBW. lbs., 12 ozs. The family lives in Yonkers.

Kathie Murphy Coleman Engagements ‘70 is happy to announce the birth of her third granddaughter. Cassidy joins big sisters Madeline Brian Zilm ‘97 is engaged to (7) and Bayleigh (6). Valentina Salkow. Brian is a pri- vate banker at Wells Fargo in New York City, and Valentina is the executive assistant for the director Maia Venturi Kloepfer ‘94 and of the Columbia College alumni her husband, Chris, announce the fund. They met at John DeVito’s birth of their son, Christopher ‘97 wedding and are planning their James, on October 2, 2012. He own fall 2013 wedding. joins older brother, Robert, who is 3 years old. C.J. was born at Greenwich Hospital and was bap- tized at Annunciation on January Continued on page 32 19, 2013.

Page 30 The Annunciator Class Notes 1948 great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Char- McDonald and Jake Amend. He was lotte Ava, visiting to celebrate her accom- the brother of Mary, Adelaide, Kath- Richard Burke is finding spare time plishment. leen, Clare, and the late Margaret and this winter to get back into artistic Myles. He was the companion of Mer- creations with colored pencils, but he 1949 cedes Grant. is finding the hobby to be much more In lieu of flowers, the family re- expensive than he remembers from Alfred J. Amend, a long-time summer quested donations be made to The his novice dabbles of perhaps twenty resident of the North Fork, died in Jupi- Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic years ago. Richard says, “Colored ter, Florida, on December 21, 2012. He Cancer Research (1111 Stewart Ave- pencil is a wonderful medium to work was the son of the late Adelaide M. and nue, Bethpage, NY 11714). in. It’s relaxing with endless opportu- Myles B. Amend. Al spent his boyhood nities to create. I recently joined the summers on Nassau Point and owned a 1956 Colored Pencil Society of America home in Cedar Beach in Southold for (CPSA). I would be interested in many years. He graduated from Iona Nedra Headen Ewart and her hus- hearing from anyone from Annuncia- College, Class of 1957, and was commis- band, Allan, bought a farm in east Ten- tion who has an artistic interest in CP sioned in the Navy four months later. nessee. Allan is a commercial truck creations. Some great philosopher After discharge from the Navy, having driver, and Nedra works the farm rais- said that the beginning of wisdom is served on Guam and Norfolk, VA, Al ing cattle with the help of some live- the desire to learn. I have the desire; had a long and distinguished career in the stock guardian dogs and one herding now I’d like to get the wisdom.” insurance business, retiring as partner in dog. In addition, Nedra and Allan took Professional Coverage Managers now up the hobby of winemaking. Nedra In November, Jim Hanifer, and his PCM Intermediaries. says they make “interesting and unique wife, Betty, celebrated their 54th wed- Al was married in 1957 to Mary Ellen (ginger, mint, rosemary, and chocolate) ding anniversary at Mass at Church of Donahue who died in 1996. He is sur- wines, kahlua, and various meads.” the Epiphany where they live in Vir- vived by their children: Catherine ginia. Their youngest daughter, McDonald (John) of Summit NJ, James Maureen Martin Hoyt writes that she Patricia Green, recently ran a mara- M. (Sue) of Huntington, and Robert K. is still going to school! Maureen is a thon in Richmond and, on that day, (Nola) of Centerport, and by his grand- Jim and Betty had both of their new children Alexandra, Blair and John Continued on page 31

Keep Us in Mind! If you have a bit of news to share—a birth, marriage, anniversary, en- gagement, job change or other fun life event, please drop us a line and send us a photo!

If you have a change of email or mailing address, please let us know. We don’t want to lose touch!

All information can be emailed to [email protected]. Please don’t forget to include your full name and year of graduation. February 2013 Page 31

Class Notes Continued from page 30

substitute teacher at the Block Island washing and ironing the purificators 1969 School in Rhode Island. She finds and corporals, and money counter on herself mostly in the area of K-12 spe- Mondays for the weekend offertory. Tom Byrnes retired from IBM in 2010 cial education. “The schooling we after 35 years of service in marketing. received at Annunciation was, and Ruth Argo Mazzei retired in Decem- He is now teaching full time at the local remains, a solid foundation upon ber from her position as Southeast community college, in Raleigh, as well as which all other achievements have Town Clerk (Brewster) in Putnam at NC State in their MBA program. He been based.” County after 20 years. It was a hard is enjoying his new career! If you’d like decision that she struggled with for a to find Tom, he is on Facebook and 1961 year. Ruthie had run seven times for LinkedIn. the position and felt it was time to turn Patti Christopher Kennedy reports the page. 1974 that 2012 was a busy and blessed year. She and her husband of 45 years, Her sixth grandchild was born, and Joe, moved to their “country” house in David Monaco is now associate profes- the count stands at four girls and two Sylvan Beach, NY and opened an an- sor of sacred scripture at the Pontifical boys. Patti says, “The grandchildren tique store called “Uncle Joe’s Trading College Josephinum in Columbus, OH. were all here for Christmas and love Post.” Ruthie says, “Winters are hard He recently published a book, available the horses, chickens and sleigh riding. here, and I am thinking of chucking it through Gorgias Press, titled The Sen- They are my greatest treasures. I am all and moving south. Our four sons tences of the Syriac Menander: Introduction, still sharing prayer with the women at and three granddaughters are all in Text and Translation, and Commentary. Beacon Correctional Facility. It is Westchester and Putnam so it may be something my heart will not allow.” always a gift to watch these women 1981 become filled with hope and develop a In September, the Class of ‘62 had

closer spiritual relationship with Je- their third reunion. “It was great to Jeanni Hoogestraat Cahill and her sus.” once again see everyone, as many of husband, Chris, will be married ten years This year Patti wanted to challenge these past students have given me some in July and have two beautiful children. herself, so she joined team beach bod- of the best memories of my life. I have Zach is 6 years old, and Hayden Grace ies and is on her second tour of P90X, stayed in contact with many of my ‘old’ just turned 5. The Cahills live in Sum- a extreme fitness program. “I am in- classmates and the memories con- merville, SC. viting all Annunciation graduates to tinue,” says Ruthie. This is the first year that Jeanni is become fit and take the challenge. homeschooling her children and loving Modification is the key.” Those who 1965 every minute of it. They are her greatest are interested may contact Patti at blessings in life! Jeanni is also president www.beachbodycoach.com/ Ross Scovotti and his wife, Carol, en- and owner of MamaMouse, Pattikennedy. joyed a Green (mamamouse.com), which is an unoffi- Bay Packers vs. cial guide to everything Walt Disney 1962 Lion game. Ross World. It is a website created by a is a president of mom, for other moms (but dads are wel- NueMedia, LLC, Joan Manarino writes, “Thank you come too!). She keeps in touch with her and Carol is a my Annunciation friends. I am still classmates through Facebook. professor at the talking about the most welcoming experience I had, and Mercy too, University of 1982 when we came to the reunion.” W i s c o n s i n Ross and Carol Joan does extensive volunteer work Whitewater. The Kathleen Murphy Ryan is moving. She at her church including being a reader, couple live in and her family are selling their house in extraordinary minister of Holy Com- Stoughton, WI. Cortlandt Manor, NY and moving to the munion, first-grade religious education Fleetwood or New Rochelle area teacher, liturgy committee member,

requiring a number of duties including Continued on page 32 Page 32 The Annunciator

Milestones continued from page 29 Class Notes continued from page 31

Matthew Vezza ‘00 is engaged to Christina Bonitatibus. The sometime this year. couple became engaged while apple picking in an orchard 2009 near Christina’s home. Mat- thew is a commercial real es- Inspired by Annunciation School nurse, Evelyn Cosgrove, tate appraiser with Landauer and Annunciation alumna and physical education teacher at Valuation and Advisory, and The Ursuline School, Ms. Patrice McDermott ‘80, Kelsey Christina teaches seventh- Buongiorno has completed over 500 service hours since grade social studies in the freshman year. Last year, Kelsey, who is a senior at Byram Hills school district in Ursuline and president of its Social Action Club, raised Armonk, NY. The couple are $7,000 with her team at the polar plunge to benefit Special planning a June 2014 wedding. Olympics. She has also been going to a school in Brook- lyn to help organize things to bring to impoverished chil- Marriages dren, and plans to start volunteering at a hospital soon. Most recently, she has been going to Rockaway and Breezy Christina Alongi ‘95 was married on May 26, 2012 to Greg- Point to help with the storm recovery there. ory DiNapoli. They were married at St. Benedict’s Church in Kelsey hopes to attend the University of Scranton next the Bronx and had their reception at the Marina del Rey with year and would like to major in pre-med with the goal of 150 close family and friends. becoming a pediatrician.

Christina met Gregory while out to dinner with friends at 2010 a restaurant in Mahopac where Gregory lived. After a In November, Amanda Belluccio, Georgina Finneran, honeymoon cruise to Ber- and Amanda Giglio were inducted into the Mary Veronica muda, the couple resides in Chapter of the National Honor Society at Our Lady of Yonkers. Christina works as Good Counsel Academy. a social worker at St. Pat- rick’s Home in the Bronx, Faculty and Gregory works as an office manager at an invest- ment company in Scarsdale. Mary Ziegler (aka) Sr. Mary Walter Klaus taught 7th and 8th-grade at Annunciation from 1966 to 1970, and then became principal of Our Lady of Victory School in Mt. Vernon from 1970 to 1974. Mary then moved to Philadel- Carolyn Alvino ‘96 was married to Nicholas Khoury on Oc- phia, and taught in the public schools until 1996. She is tober 27, 2012. The wed- now retired, and lives in Glassboro, NJ. She says, “I miss ding was held at Annun- teaching, and some mornings when I have lots of energy, I ciation, and a reception say to myself that I should be in a classroom. Since I am followed at the Tappan now 77 years old, that would not be practical. I’m glad that Hill Mansion in Tarry- the students of Annunciation still have a bond that draws town, NY. The couple them together. All my former students are in my prayers.” resides in Bronxville, NY. Carolyn is a health edu- cation coordinator at St. John the Divine, and Nicholas is an attorney associated with Terc Law, P.C. February 2013 Page 33

Grad is Part of Championship Women Who Walk

Team Continued from page 11 time it is when I hear you ladies walk by.” Laura’s first Jane Marrinan ‘08 is a freshman at Catholic University thought was, “Are we really that loud?” When she meets of America. She is also a member of their Women's someone new at an Annunciation event or local house Cross Country Team which finished first in the Land- party, if the conversation gets around to exercise, Laura mark Conference Championships and which was voted will tell them that she and a group of women walk five Best in Sportsmanship in their conference. miles each morning. The usual response to that is, “OHHH! So you’re with that group of women who walk!” In addition to catching up on what the kids are doing or talking about the newest school event or athletic activ- ity, Laura says that the ladies can learn a lot on their walks. “Ann Marie Sullivan is a realtor, and we can learn a lot about the Crestwood real estate market in those five miles.” In addition to learning new things and strengthen- ing their friendships, their physical health is benefiting as well.

Jane Marrinan, top row, third from right, and her team.

Egan Scholarship

Continued from page 3 of his choice. Any number of our graduates who have ter. An active volunteer, Patricia served as a board member of received financial assistance during their time at the Prep the Westchester Catholic Education Council, the Annunciation now grace the halls of institutions such as Notre Dame, Guild, the Ladies of Charity and the alumnae board of The Col- UVA, Dartmouth, Harvard, Boston College, Georgetown, lege of Mount Saint Vincent. Bucknell, Annapolis and West Point, to name a few. All John and Patricia were married in 1950 and moved to Crest- of us at the Prep are excited by the possibility this scholar- wood in 1958. They raised their three children there with Betty ship offers for a young man from Annunciation.” Ann heading off to Our Lady of Victory Academy and Jack and The Egan children seeded the scholarship in December Jim to Iona Prep. The three children believe that their parents 2011 and have subsequently been joined by other family appreciate the strong connection that existed between Annun- members and friends to support this scholarship. They ciation and Iona Prep for the Egan family and created the encourage others who wish to help Annunciation gradu- scholarship to recognize this. ates who are “True Iona Men—committed to service to Br. Thomas Leto, president of Iona Prep says, “Iona Pre- others, respect for family and friends and a commitment paratory School has educated the young men of our area for to the American Catholic tradition to be a lifelong ninety-six years. Over that span of years, we have endeavored learner” to send donations to the Iona Prep Development to help any young man who wanted a Prep education but could Office, The Patricia and John Egan Scholarship Fund, 255 not afford one. Thanks to the generosity of the Egan Family, Wilmot Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804 or call Barbara the Patricia and John Egan Scholarship is designed to encour- Robertson at 914-600-6158. Applicants for the scholar- age a young man from Annunciation who has the talent to at- ship are directed to contact the Admissions Office at Iona tend Iona Prep, graduate and go on to the college or university Prep.