Community: Sister alumnae join Holy Family’s Gael Gala

The Gael Gala was a reunion for former students of Holy Family High School and a fundraiser for those attending the school.

Rained cleared out just in time for guests to fill the grammar school’s auditorium, where they checked out the colorful baskets in the silent auction and then dined on a scrumptious spinach-stuffed chicken breast dinner with mixed veggies and potatoes — a specialty of the in-house chef.

Principal Nancy O’Sullivan thanked all for attending this inaugural gala and added that proceeds will go to scholarships for students attending Holy Family.

Guests of honor were from the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many had graduated from Holy Family and later taught there.

Special recognition was bestowed upon Sister Suzanne Stopper and Sister Mary Jeanne Stopper, who are related sisters as well. Sister Suzanne Stopper graduated from Holy Family in 1944. She taught fifth through 12th grades for 42 years and then worked four years in the school office. Sister Mary Jeanne Stopper graduated from Holy Family in 1949 and taught first through 12th grades for 24 years at Holy Family.

Other Sisters of Charity sitting together were Sister Anne Kendall, Sister Marian Hurley, Sister Joan Condon, and from the Order of Preachers was Sister Dorothea Snaer.

Janet Goodwin McNiff, attending with husband, Frank, also received special recognition for serving on Holy Family’s board of regents. She also won brunch with the sisters during the live auction.

Others taking home auction prizes were Cathi and Jack Beauclair, who will be going to a Lakers game; and Minerva Astengo, who also won brunch with the sisters. She was sitting with Kate Saporito. Both are Holy Family graduates from the Class of 1959.

Even the students got into the act. Some waited tables, while others performed.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.