An Award Prompts a Flood of Memories

When I received the envelope with my college logo in the upper left-hand corner, I thought, “Oh, we’re raising money again.”

Then I read the letter, telling me that I had been named Mount St. Mary’s College’s Outstanding Alumna for Community Service. My first thought was, “All of my class has been taken to the heavenly alumnae chapter, and there is no one left but me upon whom to bestow this honor.”

I waited a couple of weeks to give the college time to discover its error and recall the letter with dignity. Then, I finally called and spoke to Lucy Lee, director of public relations for the college, and told her I was giving her time to retract the missent letter.

“No,” said Lucy, “you are indeed to be honored, along with two other Mount alums, Sister Cecilia Louise Moore for professional achievement and Elizabeth (Beth) Hill for community service.”

Lee told me I didn’t have to speak if I didn’t want to, so I didn’t plan any remarks. Would you have?

I had a moment when I thought I would suggest that the college just send me the plaque, but my friend Jean Erck, ever considerate, said: “No, you must go.”

We planned for Jean to drive me to the college and both of us would spend the night with her son, Marty Erck, who lives in Santa Monica.

Jean and I struck out shortly after 8 a.m. and ran into fog like a wall of gray cotton at about Beaumont. The fog stayed with us all the way into town and disappeared only when we were near the Mount, on its hill above the San Diego Freeway.

When I was at the school, there was one large building. Now there are enough to fill the top of the mountain. We were planning on parking in the circle at the foot of the chapel stairs, and so we did. But not before driving through two large parking structures that I had never seen before.

The first person I saw when I walked into the room where the luncheon and awards ceremony took place was Pat Hickey, a dear friend with whom I was in school. Her name was Pat O’Connor when I knew her. She’s the same attractive, charming girl I remember. Oh I know we’re women, but we started out as girls.

There were lots of women there whom I remember and several I did not, and it was great to see them all.

After lunch ended with a marvelous serving of raspberry chocolate cake, the other two honorees made gracious acceptance speeches.

Sister Cecilia Louise, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet, has held an entire roster of lofty offices at the college, which the Carondolet order runs. She said that when you start receiving honors and accolades, it means you’re getting older.

Beth Hill is an oncology nurse who founded the Wellness Community in Thousand Oaks and has a garland of encomiums for her work with cancer patients.

And then, I was introduced. A nice young man who is the college chief financial officer helped me up on the dais because of my Erector Set knees.

Because I had not prepared any remarks, I told some war stories of my days as a student at the Mount.

I received a beautiful medal with the seal of the college on the front and my name on the back, which I intend to wear around my neck.

Most enjoyable on that day was seeing Sister Magdalene Coughlen, the chancellor of the college, a star on anybody’s list of outstanding women.

She came to the Mount after I graduated, but we have been friends ever since the Mount was lucky enough to have her assigned to that shining campus on the hill.