1. The CabrinianMother Cabrini High School Newsletter I WINTER 2013/2014
Investing In Our Future
More than $1.2 Million in Infrastructure Improvements at Mother Cabrini
E
ach of us is caught in the passage of
time. Four years have quietly slipped by,
seeming more like a few brief moments
than fleeting years. Yet this brief span of time
contained countless moments of laughter, joy,
friendship, and on a few occasions, pain. Each
of us has been changed or affected in some way,
some superficially, some deeply.” (From our
yearbook, Chrysalis 1974, p. 158)
Our yearbook editors and writers summed up
our Mother Cabrini years very well, back when
Richard Nixon was still President. There are
109 of us who still smile up from our yellowed
yearbook pages, our unwrinkled faces encircled
by seashell frames of hopes for the future. Here
we are today, the Class of 1974, feeling like the
last 40 years have slipped by! Over these last
four decades we have had our many moments of
laughter, joy, friendship and pain, and groups of
us have kept our connections going. We’ve had
10th, 25th, 30th and 35th reunions, all at school.
Different class members have shepherded us
for different anniversaries. How we have gone
about searching for and gathering each other has
changed in direct proportion to the development
Reunion Organizing 101:
TheMamacitasMakeSocialMediaMambofortheClassof1974
By Julie Martinez Batista, Maria Carrion, AnnMarie Donovan-Cornacchia and Sonia Pineda
continued on page 10
S
ummer 2013 was a busy season at Mother
Cabrini High School with crews of con-
struction workers and technicians at work
on infrastructure improvements costing more
than $1 million.
Approximately $700,000 of that total was
spent on replacement or repair of the school’s
many roofs (both of the original building and
the subsequent additions) as well as for exterior
brick repair. Fundraising and planning for this
work began in 2010.
As the many construction workers were
busy on the roofs, a crew of technicians busied
themselves in the school’s hallways, offices and
classrooms installing new telecommunications
wiring. The introduction of the new wiring was
thanks to an approximately $580,000 federal
“E-Rate” grant awarded to Mother Cabrini.
E-Rate grants are awarded by the Univer-
sal Service Administrative Company (USAC),
an independent, not-for-profit corporation des-
ignated by the Federal Communications Com-
mission as the administrator of the Universal
T
o ensure more young women have access
to the superb education offered at Mother
Cabrini, the school’s board of trustees has
lowered the annual tuition by approximately $1,000
for the 2014-2015 academic year. The move brings
a student’s annual cost to $6,490 plus fees that vary
based upon academic year and other factors.
“We are eager to enable even more promising
young women to become Cabrinians,” said Paula
Ialongo Greco-McTigue, ’61 trustees chair. “This
move is in line with the school’s long history of be-
ing at the service of immigrants and families who
otherwise would not be able to send their daughters
to a great high school.”
She added, “The lower tuition also ensures that,
regarding cost, Mother Cabrini remains competitive
with our peer schools throughout New York City.”
Silvia Cabreja, ’98 Mother Cabrini’s director of
admissions, said the reaction to the tuition decrease
has been received favorably by many prospective
students and their parents, including those who at-
tended the successful school’s Open House on Oc-
tober 26. More than 125 prospective students and
their parents attended the event, up from approxi-
mately 70 students the previous year.
“Many of the parents were pleased to hear that
an education at Mother Cabrini would fit into their
budgets,” she said.
Ms. Greco-McTigue said that the tuition de-
crease makes the generous financial support of
alumnae and other donors even more critical.
“Our alumnae and donors have been extremely
generous to the school over the decades. Now we
ask them to do even more -- to increase their annual
contributions to help more young women have ac-
cess to this top-notch education,” she said.
continued on page 3
Mother Cabrini Lowers Tuition
New Telecommunications Wiring
Members of the Class of 1974, in 2009
Mother Cabrini
Students

2. 2 Winter 2013/2014 The Cabrinian
The Cabrinian Winter 2013/2014 3
Dear Alumnae,
A
t the end of June, I traveled to China for 10 days as part of the program that is sending students from that country to study
at Mother Cabrini High School. As I was disembarking from the airplane in Beijing and being taken to the hotel, I won-
dered if Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini ever imagined that one day a missionary of hers would be flying to major cities in
China to spread the good news about her school in New York.
It was an honor for me to promote our school to several of the major educational companies that guide any Chinese student
wishing to study in the United States. They were impressed by what we have to offer. We already have three
students from China studying here and we are expecting a few more. This international recruitment is one of our
many efforts to strengthen our enrollment and finances. But, we still really need your help.
As I mentioned in the spring issue of The Cabrinian, only a fraction of our 305 students pay full tuition.
Additionally, earlier this year, our board of trustees decided that our mission demands that we make our educa-
tion more affordable and lowered our annual tuition to $6,490 for the 2014-2015 academic year – a decrease by
approximately $1,000. This means we need tuition assistance contributions from our alumnae more than ever.
I would ask you to remember the assistance you may have received as a student at Mother Cabrini and make a
gift today. Our students would profit in so many ways by knowing that you personally care about them and want
them to succeed at Mother Cabrini High School.
Along with our reduced tuition we are even offering MORE PROGRAMS. Our new “Business Leadership &
Technology” sequence is off to a great start. We have new internships, an exciting Marketing course, and more and
more of our students are taking a real interest in all forms of technology. We also are planning a Career Day for
which we will be calling upon many of you to show our students what a successful Cabrini graduate looks like.
Our new course in Mandarin Chinese is a big success. The students are doing great and even accepting the
challenge of talking to our new Chinese students. We also have introduced Advanced Placement Biology and
Advanced Placement Calculus so that, in each of our major courses of study, students can obtain either college
credit (from Cabrini College in Radnor, PA) or AP credits.
As a school open to all young women who want a Cabrinian and Catholic education, we have students who
have learning difficulties. We have reestablished the Cabrini Academic Program so that we make sure these
young women have all the resources they need to succeed.
What is remarkable is that, even with an open admission process, we excel in our results. As you may know, 100 percent of our students graduate with
a college acceptance letter and 90 percent attend a four-year college or university. We also are proud that 85 percent of Mother Cabrini graduates receive a
college diploma within six years. Please help us continue this tradition of academic excellence for years to come!
Joyfully in the work of the Lord and Mother Cabrini,
Bruce Segall
Table of Contents
FEATURES
Reunion Organizing 101.....................................1
Historic Photos...................................................6, 7
Meeting Pope Francis...........................................8
Planned Giving Tribute........................................9
Family Club..............................................................9
NEWS
Infrastructure Improvements...........................1
Mother Cabrini Lowers Tuition........................1
Staff Notes................................................................4
DEPARTMENTS
From the President’s Desk ................................3
From the Advancement Office........................5
Save the Date..........................................................2
Class Notes..............................................................8
In Memoriam..........................................................9
Donors ....................................................................11
The Cabrinian
Winter 2013/2014
Mother Cabrini High School
701 Fort Washington Avenue
New York, NY 10040
(212) 923-3540
paul.s@cabrinihs.org
CabriniHS.com
Board of Trustees
Sr. Christine Marie Baltas, MSC,‘58
Patricia Curley-Varricchio
AnnMarie Donovan Cornacchia,‘74
Sr. Catherine Garry, MSC,‘56
Linda Harvey Grijalva,‘72
Paula Ialonga Greco-McTigue,‘61, Chair
Francis Kairson, Jr.
Sr. Diane Olmstead, MSC
Vivian Ramirez Molina,‘64
Rev. John Replogle, S.J.
Eileen Slevin,‘72
Sr. Mary Louise Sullivan, MSC,‘55
Barbara Vicari Pollock,‘61
Most Rev. Gerald Walsh
leadership
Bruce Segall, President
Frank Boughner, Principal
Sr. Antonina Avitabile, MSC,‘66,
Director of Finance
Matthew Bizzarro, Director of Service Programs
Silvia Cabreja,‘98, Director of Admissions &
Alumnae Relations
Niki Lee, Director of the International Program
Dana Morando, Director of Guidance
Frank Mosco, Director of Technology & Media
Kevin Prunty, Director of Facilities
Paul Snatchko, Director of Advancement &
Communications
This edition of The Cabrinian was written and
edited by the Mother Cabrini High School
Office of Advancement & Communications.
It was designed and printed by Rose Press of
Mount Vernon, NY.
Stefanie May, Mother Cabrini’s athletic director,
led a delegation of students to the Making Strides
Against Breast Cancer walk in New York City’s
Central Park on October 20. During the course of
the day, the students were interviewed by Amy
Freeze of WABC-TV (pictured above).
Wednesday, December 18 Christmas Concert & Reception, 7 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, January 8 Reunion Planning Committee, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 15 Alumnae Phonathon, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 23 Alumnae Phonathon, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 8 Reunion Planning Committee, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, April 5 Annual Reunion, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, May 2 Junior Class Ring Day Ceremony, 9 a.m.
For more details on these and many other upcoming events, please contact the
Advancement Office at (212) 923-9114 or paul.s@cabrinihs.org.
Save the Date
kudos Kudoskudos kudos kudos
Service Fund (USF). USAC collects fees from
telecommunications carriers and administers
support programs designed to help communities
across the country secure access to affordable
telecommunications services.
“The federal E-Rate grant superbly enhanc-
es our school’s infrastructure into every learn-
ing environment,” said Frank Mosco, Mother
Cabrini’s director of technology and media and
coordinator of the school’s E-Rate grant.
“The improvement in cabling, hardware,
telecommunications and services will allow us
to honestly say that our school is technology on
par with the best schools in the country, and in
many cases far superior,” he added.
The school, with the assistance from the
Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Je-
sus, provided approximately $30,000 to fund 10
percent of the project costs not covered by the
grant.
The introduction of the new telecommunica-
tions wiring was part of the first phase of im-
provements to be funded by the E-Rate grant.
Still to come are improvements to the school
phone system and wireless Internet access, the
introduction of video conference equipment and
other items.
This autumn, Mother Cabrini also partnered
with the Con Edison Green Team and the His-
panic Federation of New York City to enhance
the school’s lighting. The Con Ed Green Team is
replacing existing florescent lighting within the
building with new energy-efficient bulbs and
ballasts. The new materials will help reduce the
amount of energy consumed on a daily basis and
lower the school’s electricity costs.
Investing in Our Future continued from page 1
Members of Mother Cabrini’s hardworking Class of 2014, as well as some juniors and even
sophomores, have been busy visiting prospective colleges and universities this fall. In early
November, a large group of seniors (pictured below) traveled by bus to tour Cabrini College in
Radnor, PA. (Cabrini College is another institution sponsored by the Missionary Sisters of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus.) The following day, another group of students attended an open house at St.
Peter’s University in Jersey City. Students Shannon Wilson, Jillian Santana and Elisha Morel are
pictured above during that visit.
Mother Cabrini
celebrated Spirit Week
October 7 to 11. Each day
of the week had a special
theme, attire and activities.
The week ended with an
entire day of festivities
on Friday, October 11,
including a walkathon in
Fort Tryon Park, a presentation
by the organization Energy Up!
and the annual student-faculty
volleyball game. The faculty
team (pictured) prevailed in this
year’s match-ups.
From the President’s Desk
You are invited to Mother Cabrini’s annual
Christmas concert featuring the talented
school choir and hand bell ensemble.“Breath
of Heaven: Christmas with the Cabrini Singers
& Ringers”will be held Wednesday, December
18, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Saint Frances
Xavier Cabrini Shrine. A reception will follow.
To RSVP, or for more details, please contact
the Advancement Office at
(212) 923-9114 or paul.s@cabrinihs.org.
Breath of Heaven:
Christmas with
the Cabrini
Singers & Ringers
Mandarin Class

3. 4 Winter 2013/2014 The Cabrinian
The Cabrinian Winter 2013/2014 5
S
hortly after I began work in June as the direc-
tor of advancement and communications at
Mother Cabrini High School, I began reading
“To The Ends of the Earth: The Missionary Travels
of Frances X. Cabrini.” The book is a thick collec-
tion of letters written by our school’s foundress dur-
ing her travels between 1890 and 1912. Many of the
letters were penned aboard ocean liners as Mother
Cabrini voyaged back and forth across the Atlantic
between various European ports and New York, as
well as during her trips to Latin America and South
America.
The letters were meant for the eyes
and ears of the members of Mother Cabri-
ni’s order, the Missionary Sisters of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus. They are descrip-
tive, frank and evangelical – filled with
travel details (both beautiful and grim) and
discourses on various aspects of the faith.
It’s not uncommon for Mother Cabrini to
speak on the same page about the kind-
nesses shown by the ship’s captain as well as the
importance of prayer and spiritual nourishment.
(Quite a bit of ink is also devoted to sea sickness, as
you might imagine.)
What comes across clearly in each letter is that
Mother Cabrini was a faith-filled woman of im-
mense determination who seized opportunities to
spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ while improving
the quality of life for immigrants and the poor.With-
out any modern conveniences such as air travel or
the Internet, Mother Cabrini established schools and
other institutions around the world – asking for help
and needed funds along the way. In short, she was
not a woman who was shy about prodding others.
In my work raising funds for Mother Cabrini
High School, I hope I am able to emulate this saint’s
great drive and passion. Because, we are in a time
when both of those qualities are greatly needed.
We are in a period in the school’s history when all
members of our community (alumnae, trustees, ad-
ministrators, faculty, staff, current students and their
families) must give more and work harder to ensure
we remain strong and vital in the years to come.
Our school is not immune to the economic pres-
sures being faced by many urban Catholic schools.
But, none of these pressures is insurmountable –
and certainly not for the daughters and heirs of a
powerhouse like Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini.
I believe that if Mother Cabrini were alive today
she would ask all of our alumnae to give back more
to the school that nurtured them (in funds,
time and prayers). She would ask our
trustees and administrators to work harder
and longer to find new and creative means
of fundraising and institution-building.
She would ask our faculty, current stu-
dents and their families to give even more
time and energy to the pursuit of academic
excellence and the education of the heart.
There is no challenge facing Mother
Cabrini High School that greater generosity, hard
work and strong faith cannot address.
In 2014, the school will celebrate its 115th an-
niversary. That number of years is a tremendous
accomplishment for any institution. But, if Mother
Cabrini were still journeying on the earth today, I
wager she would urge us to build a future for the
school that is even brighter than its past.
In October 1891, Mother Cabrini wrote, “ …
Let us work in haste because the reward is already
prepared … Jesus is with us, we can do all things.
By ourselves we shall fail but with God we shall do
all things. Courage, daughters! May it never be one
of us that weakens half way on the journey … ”
_________________________________
To make a financial contribution to Mother
Cabrini High School, please call (212) 923-9114
or visit: CabriniHS.com/giving.
Staff Notes
New Arrival
Francis Leo Bizzarro arrived in the
wee hours of August 14, 2013, weigh-
ing in at six pounds, 12 ounces. He is
the son of Matthew Bizzarro, Mother
Cabrini theology teacher and director
of service programs, and Jenny Biz-
zarro, a former teacher and dean at
the school.
Welcome to our world, little Francis
Leo! Mother Cabrini (the school and
the saint) will be praying for you!
Mother Cabrini High School has welcomed several
new staff members in recent months. They include:
Frank Boughner, school prin-
cipal. Mr. Boughner has spent a
lifetime in Catholic schools. He is
a graduate of St. Lucy Grammar
School and Cardinal Hayes High
School. He earned a bachelor’s
degree in business administration and master’s
degree in childhood education from Iona College
as well as a master’s degree in school building
leadership from Mercy College. He worked as
a teacher in a Catholic elementary school and a
charter school before coming to Mother Cabrini.
A native of northern Manhattan, Mr. Boughner
lives with his family in New Rochelle.
Yvette Ballard Duncan, staff
member in Mother Cabrini’s Of-
fice of Advancement and Com-
munications. Ms. Ballard Dun-
can is a graduate of New York
University’s business school and the University
of Michigan, where she earned an M.B.A. in
marketing. She previously worked for The Frank-
lin Mint, Leo Burnett USA and Marine Midland
Bank. She served for six years as a trustee at The
Cathedral School of St. John the Divine and is
vice president of the Metropolitan Chapter of
Jack & Jill of America, Inc. Ms. Ballard Duncan,
a native New Yorker, lives with her family in
northern Manhattan.
Timothy Haugh, teacher and
math department chair. Mr.
Haugh earned his bachelor of
science degree from Loyola Uni-
versity of Chicago and his master
of science degree in education from Quincy Uni-
versity. He is a veteran teacher with 16 years of
experience. His courses include Algebra II / Trig-
onometry, Advanced Placement Calculus, Geom-
etry, Geometry Honors and Physics. Mr. Haugh
and his family live in the school’s neighborhood.
Niki Lee, teacher and director of
the international program. Ms.
Lee earned a bachelor’s degree in
electric engineering from Tianjin
University of Technology and a
master of science degree from Beijing Univer-
sity of Post and Telecommunication, both in her
native China. Then she came to Connecticut to
pursue her master’s degree in education at Uni-
versity of Bridgeport. A teacher since 2010, Ms.
Lee teaches the new Mandarin course at Mother
Cabrini, in addition to providing English as a
the school. Ms. Tenorio earned a bachelor of arts
degree from the College of New Rochelle and an
associates degree in nursing from Helene Fuld
College of Nursing. This spring, she will earn a
bachelor of science in nursing from the Chamber-
lain College of Nursing. Ms. Tenorio lives with
her family in northern Manhattan.
Fine
Examples of
the Cabrini
Mission
S
r. Alyn Larson, CND (pic-
tured left) and Ms. Bella
Hernando Madrid (pictured
right) retired at the end of the
2012 - 2013 academic year after
long tenures at Mother Cabrini. A
surprise retirement party was held
in their honor on June 18 in the
school library.
Sr. Larson was at Mother Cabrini for 12 years, working as school registrar and assistant in the
guidance department. Ms. Madrid retired after 25 years in our Math Department (of which she was
chair by the end of her many years of service).
In addition to our current faculty members who attended the retirement party, the pair was also
saluted by retired faculty members, including: Ms. Linda Rozowicz (Mother Cabrini alumna and
physical education teacher), Ms. Nina Klymowska (art teacher), Dr. Orlirio Fuentes (Spanish teacher)
and Ms. Margaret Chen (Spanish teacher) as well as former guidance counselor Ms. Mary Jane
DelVicario.
Ms. Ellen Clancy, senior faculty member and English Department chair, paid this tribute to
the pair:
“Both Cabrinians will be missed by their colleagues and appreciative students. Ms. Madrid
started Cabrini’s chapter of the Math League and in the past coached volleyball as well. Sr. Larson
has been especially attentive to each senior class, making sure their transcripts and other records
were completed for college and checking with each student regularly. In addition, her community,
the Congregation of Notre Dame, has sponsored Cabrini students and donated towards emergency
funds. Both are fine examples of the Cabrini mission of ‘education of the heart’ in action and we
thank them for their many years of service.”
Second Language instruction. She lives in Con-
necticut.
April Laing, teacher. Ms. Laing
is a graduate of Cardinal Spell-
man High School in the Bronx.
She earned a bachelor of arts
in mass communication and a
master of science in education from Herbert H.
Lehman College. An educator for four years,
she is teaching global history courses at Mother
Cabrini. Ms. Laing lives in the Bronx.
Stefanie May, teacher and ath-
letic director. Ms. May earned
her undergraduate degree from
Waynesburg College in Western
Pennsylvania and a master of arts
in teaching from Goucher College in Baltimore.
She also holds a master of science in exercise sci-
ence and health promotion from California Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania. She previously worked
as a physical education teacher and coach at mul-
tiple schools, including Rye Country Day School
in Rye, New York. Ms. May also served as the
head women’s soccer coach at Widener Univer-
sity in Chester, Pennsylvania. In addition to her
duties as athletic director, she teaches physical
education and health courses at Mother Cabrini.
Ms. May grew up in Brooklyn and Maryland. She
now lives in Brooklyn.
Susan Rojas, registrar and guid-
ance department assistant. Ms.
Rojas earned her bachelor of arts
from City College of New York
where she majored in liberal arts.
Ms. Rojas and her family live in New Jersey.
Michael Santiago, staff member
in the school facilities depart-
ment. He is a graduate of Queens
College where he studied elec-
trical engineering. He worked
for several years in construction, specializing in
electrical work and plumbing. Mr. Santiago, a
Queens native, lives in Tuckahoe.
Paul Snatchko, director of ad-
vancement and communications.
Mr. Snatchko is a graduate of
New York University where he
studied journalism and politics.
He spent six years as the manager of marketing
and communications at Magnificat, the monthly
Catholic prayer booklet and worship guide. Prior
to that, he was a local government official, politi-
cal campaign manager and newspaper reporter in
his native Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Snatchko
and his family live on Pinehurst Avenue, just a
few blocks south of the school.
LaTonya Tenorio, school nurse.
Ms. Tenorio’s service has been
provided to Mother Cabrini for
the 2013 - 2014 academic year
by the New York City Department of Education
due to specific health issues of some students at
Welcome, New
Staff Members!
From the Advancement Office
By Paul Snatchko, Director of Advancement & Communications
Hall of Fame Nominations Open
Nominations are now open for the Mother Cabrini High School Hall of Fame. The next
induction into the Hall of Fame will take place at the annual reunion at the school on
Saturday, April 5, 2014.
The criteria for nomination is that a nominee’s professional life, community service
or other contributions should follow the example of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and
demonstrate the fruits of “an education of the heart.”
Inpastyears,MotherCabrinialumnaehavemadeupthebulkoftheHallofFameinductees
butlongtimefacultyEllenClancyandschoolboosterssuchasKathieDolgin(“HighVoltage”
of the organization Energy Up!) also have been inducted.
To submit a nomination, please contact Yvette Ballard Duncan in the Advancement
Office at (212) 923-9114 or yvette.duncan@cabrinihs.org.
Nominations for the 2014 induction will close February 15.
We’re
Social!
Please visit Mother Cabrini online at:
CabriniHS.com
facebook.com/MotherCabriniHS
twitter.com/CabriniHS_Alumcontinued on next page
continued from page 4

4. 6 Winter 2013/2014 The Cabrinian
The Cabrinian Winter 2013/2014 7
The Mother Cabrini High School Facebook page now has albums of historic school photos categorized by
decades from the 1930s to the present. These still-growing albums include some class photos, student
organization photos, candid shots and more. To view the albums, please visit:
facebook.com/MotherCabriniHS/photos_albums
If you would like to submit photos for any of the albums, please e-mail paul.s@cabrinihs.org. Thank you!
Historic
Photo
Albums
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
Today! 2010s

5. 8 Winter 2013/2014 The Cabrinian
The Cabrinian Winter 2013/2014 9
Eileen Ann Erceg, ’60 died Sep-
tember 30. Ms. Erceg worked for
42 years at the Columbia Univer-
sity Medical Center Pathology
Department, retiring as adminis-
trative manager for academic appointments and
personnel. Earlier, she was a Missionary Sister
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for seven years. In
her senior yearbook, one of the terms used to de-
scribe her was “mature thoughtfulness.” (It also
noted she had 12 years of perfect attendance.)
Patricia Anne Coakley Singer,
’54 & ’50 died September 4. Mrs.
Singer and her husband had been
small business owners in Central
Valley, New York. They had chil-
dren and grandchildren. An avid
reader, she worked in a bookstore after moving
to Florida in her later years. Next to her senior
photo in Mother Cabrini’s 1954 yearbook, Mrs.
Singer was described as having “valiant courage
and undaunted spirit” and “indefatigable energy
and talent for getting things done.”
Elaine Marguerite Ruocco Dis-
penza, ’52 died April 14. Before
retiring, Mrs. Dispenza was an
executive administrator for Lee
Myles in Paramus, New Jersey. She
was married and had several chil-
dren and grandchildren. The 1952 yearbook re-
calls, “A subdued voice and delicate charm make
Elaine every inch the lady. She is a loyal friend
who has endeared herself to all her classmates” ...
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let per-
petual light shine upon them.
I
n its nearly 115-year history, Mother Cabrini High
School has been abundantly blessed by the contribu-
tions of many generous alumnae and benefactors.
Listed among that distinguished group certainly would be
Marcelle Caccioppoli, who died in February.
Ms. Caccioppoli experienced Mother Cabrini from
multiple vantage points. She was a student at Mother
Cabrini in the 1940s and early 1950s, graduating with our
Class of 1952. She was a faculty member from 1959 to
1962, teaching physical education and drivers education.
(According to one obituary, she was the first drivers educa-
tion teacher in New York State.) And, in recent decades
when Mother Cabrini’s board of trustees was created,
Marcelle became its founding chair.
During her lifetime, Ms. Caccioppoli was very generous
to the school, contributing financially to the beautiful restoration of the school
library and Founder’s Hall as well as to student scholarships.And, faithful to her
final wishes, the school recently received a $10,000 bequest from Ms. Cacciop-
poli’s estate.
Daphne Fordor Philipson, ’65 says that Ms. Caccioppoli “was a gem.”
“Marcelle Caccioppoli was a dedicated physical edu-
cation teacher who during the time we shared at Cabrini
had the great knack of challenging and supporting her
students. Her enthusiasm and good nature made phys ed
a joy - even for those of us who were not as physically
coordinated as she was!,” remembered Ms. Philipson.
She added, “Later on, as an outstanding champion of
the school through her leadership on the board of trustees,
she helped raise money, brought alums back into the fold,
and worked tirelessly to keep Cabrini vibrant. Her dedica-
tion has enabled Cabrini to continue to serve the young
ladies who count on it for an education that is known for
its respect and high standards.
“Mother Cabrini High School is still thriving today
due to the exceptional love and leadership shown by Mar-
celle. She is greatly missed.”
Please consider remembering Mother Cabrini High School in your
estate plans. For details on planned giving, contact the Mother Cabrini High
School Advancement Office at (212) 923-9114 or paul.s@cabrinihs.org.
T
he Mother Cabrini High School
Family Club, originally founded
in the early 1950s, has been busy
this autumn meeting and organizing
events for the school community. The
club’s first event, “The Cabrini - Hudson
Heights Halloween Extravaganza,”
drew some 300 students, parents,
siblings, cousins, alumnae and neighborhood
residents to the school gymnasium for a fun
evening of music, dancing and food. The
event raised approximately $1,500 for the
school.
The Family Club’s second event was
a “Breakfast and Photos with Santa” held
on Saturday, November 30, in the school
library.
To become involved with the Family
Club, please contact Silvia Cabreja
at (212) 923-3540, ext. 42, or silvia.
cabreja@cabrinihs.org.
Planned Giving: Marcelle Caccioppoli’s Lasting Legacy
Nadine Gallo, ’53
has been pleased
to see the positive
reader response to
her novel “Impetu-
ous Heart” (Levellers
Press). It’s a story
of rebellion, family
life and romance set
in Brosna, a village
south of Limerick,
Ireland, around the
year 1916. In the
novel, British soldiers occupy a barrack and a
teenager named Nora tries to see them back to
England. Nadine is currently at work
on a sequel to “Impetuous Heart” set
in Dublin. Nadine’s poetry and stories
previously have been featured in Bos-
ton Literary, Green Silk Journal, The
Journal of Irreproducible Results, Wolf
Moon Journal and other publications.
Nadine is married to Professor Ernest
Gallo of the University of Massachu-
setts English Department in Amherst.
A Chaucer scholar, he also has taught
at St. John’s University and Regis High School.
They have four children and three grandchildren.
The Gallos live in Hadley, Massachusetts, which is
famous for its asparagus.
Victoria Pellecchia, ’64 has retired
after 20 years as a math teacher and
administrator at Benjamin Franklin
High School in New Orleans. In to-
tal, she as an educator for 48 years.
Victoria lives in Jefferson, Louisiana.
Jossett Astwood, ’09 was granted
a bachelor of arts degree June 9
during commencement exercises
at Lawrence University in Apple-
ton, Wisconsin. She studied art and graphics
at Lawrence with a senior experience entitled
The “Ink Monster.” Ms. Astwood was a Posse
Foundation scholarship winner in 2009.
In Memoriam
Class Notes
Alumna meets with Pope Francis
mother cabrini
family Club
busy this year!
A
lumna Vivian Lundh
Del Bene, ’70 met
this May with Pope
Francis at the Santa Marta
residence at the Vatican in
Rome. She was part of a
small group from Argen-
tina that presented the Holy
Father with a new chalice and paten for use
during Mass. The pieces were created by sil-
versmith Adrian Pallarols, business partner
of Vivian’s husband, Sergio Del Bene.
Prior to his election as pope, then-Car-
dinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had once been
to dinner at Vivian and Sergio’s home in Ar-
gentina. During her May visit to the Vatican,
Vivian had the opportunity to go to Confes-
sion with the Holy Father.
Prior to going to Rome, the new chalice
and paten were exhibited at St. Patrick’s Ca-
thedral in New York City. “I did the Spanish
to English translation for the exhibition at
St. Patrick’s Cathedral,” said Vivian. “Many
thanks to my Spanish teacher, Mrs. Ripol, at
Cabrini High from 1966 to 1970.”
Nadine Gallo, ’53
Victoria Pellecchia, ’64
The Family Club then (left)
and now (above).
Marcelle Caccioppoli, ’52
Vivian Lundh
Del Bene, ’70

6. 10 Winter 2013/2014 The Cabrinian
of the technology and social media of our time.
In our high school years, we were a class of
constituencies. We had tight friendships in small
groups that ranged in size from two to twelve or
so. Our senior yearbook “memorials” indicate
where we belonged. There was SOG (Simply Our
Gang), the Seven Can-Can Drinkers, the Enrico’s
Gang, the Dirty Dozen Minus One, Legs 1, 2, and
3, and then there were the fractions – “One Third
of ___, ____, and ___”; “So and So’s Other Half”;
and “One of the Four Invincibles” to name a few
groups. While other classes seemed to be filled
with assertive individuals, we were defined by
being connected. It came naturally to us then and it
comes naturally to us now. Those of us who work
together on these reunions revel in the fact that
we are developing friendships with each other in
different ways as the years go on. We surely don’t
all think alike, but there is a clear bond we deeply
feel: “Once a Cabrini girl, Always a Cabrini girl!”
Creating energy and enthusiasm for our
reunions has also been shaped by the times. Our
tenth reunion in 1984 was very much driven
by the telephone, the white and yellow pages,
Christmas card exchanges, and paper and pen. We
collected money, asked Cabrini if we could have
a reunion there, and we gathered in the cafeteria.
Some of us dropped out of sight for a time after
this reunion, raising families, working, and facing
life’s challenges. Sonia Pineda always kept our
connections moving and recalls how she began
shepherding us:
“I had attended our 25th reunion, but it was
quite small. I had really been troubled that so few
of us came. I became active for the 30th, looking
for members of our class through Classmates.com
and Facebook after I received the invitation from
Mother Cabrini High School. I sent out emails to
everyone I could find, asking them to attend and
to become members of the Alumnae Association.
I also asked them to pass on the information to
anyone with whom they still had contact. The
response was very positive and I started to collect
personal information on those who had responded
to me. I then contacted Mother Cabrini High
School and gave them what I had gathered and
they were so pleased. So, our database has been in
the works for ten years.”
Maria Carrion recounts how she and Julie
Martinez Batista did similar work, always with an
eye to the next reunion:
“I remember like yesterday when Cabrini
announced the date of our 30th reunion. I
immediately called the school to see how I could
assist in reaching out to my classmates in order
to celebrate our big occasion. Right away I was
emailed a list of 1974 students that Mother Cabrini
High School had on file. Together, as we have
always been, Julie and I joined Classmates.com.
This reunion site was new at that time. We began
the search for our Cabrini sisters and we began
finding our classmates. I must say, when this grand
event arrived, we were so elated to see the women
we had not seen for thirty years! We exchanged
information and vowed to make our next reunion
even larger!”
Here is Julie Martinez Batista’s view of the
contagion of reunions:
“I started attending the Cabrini reunions
on our first milestone the 10th, and that was a
small group of about 25 girls. Then I went to our
25th reunion and that was a larger group. As the
milestones became larger, so did the groups. By
the time of our 30th reunion, e-mail was all the
rage, social media was really kicking in, and so
we all could share our information to stay in touch
easily. By the time our 35th came along, we were
in contact with a much larger group of about 70
classmates. The day after our 35th reunion, Maria
Carrion and I said that we needed to make sure that
our 40th would be even bigger and better. About
three years ago, Maria and I had a lunch date to
catch up with AnnMarie Donovan-Cornacchia,
all of us nearly or newly retired. Since AnnMarie
speaks Spanish, I called it “Las Mamacitas Lunch
Date” Boy, did that stick! Yes, we caught up on
each other’s doings, but we also began planning
for our 40th reunion. Since then, we have had
many more Mamacita lunches, meetings, e-mails,
phone conversations and laughs. We Mamacitas
have been talking about this reunion for the
past five years and it will be here soon! During
our recent visit to school in September, we were
so happy! When I walked into that front door, I
was a ’74 senior all over again! Tears came to my
eyes! Just to see the excitement of the students on
Freshmen Friday and to see the building again!
The Mamacitas’ love and excitement for Cabrini
is spreading fast among all our classmates and
they are looking forward to seeing each other and
Mother Cabrini High School again.”
Email, Facebook, and the Internet have,
indeed, made searching for our 40th reunion
easier. We do resort to pen, paper, and stamps
when we’ve exhausted all our digital options.
Karen Capria, one of our techno-experts, set up
a class group on Facebook (Mother Cabrini HS
Class of ’74) and we update everyone nearly daily
about who we have found or are trying to find.
The group has over 100 members as of this
writing. Some members are from ’73, ’75, and ’77
and have helped us search. We also have our “74
at Heart” girls, classmates who entered in 1970 but
who moved away, didn’t graduate from Cabrini,
and yet still keep in touch. Hints and clues get
posted and we are building a database for ourselves
and for Cabrini’s Advancement Office by using
DropBox. It’s an Internet site that lets us work on
the database collaboratively. This way, we don’t
have to email it back and forth for updating. We
have entered all of our classmates using the names
from our yearbook and are adamant that this
database should accurately reflect the members of
our class. We ask everyone’s permission to share
information. When people ask not to be contacted,
we note that and respect their wishes. We know of
five classmates who are deceased and we are in
the process of reaching out to their families and
inviting them to the reunion. (We have also found
two of our former teachers and we are hoping to
see them on our big day.) While we joke around
about “The Mamacitas”, we are determined to
find everyone in our class. What we thought was
impossible five years ago, is very possible now
and we are down to about 10 completely missing
women.
There is an even more important need that
we discuss almost every time we are together:
the current and future Mother Cabrini students
and how we will pay our blessings forward for
them. We are all at an age in life where we can
look back and, nearly to a person say, “Mother
Cabrini High School made me who I am today.”
Or “I am a strong woman because of the people
I knew at Cabrini, the teachers I had, and the life
lessons I learned there.” We Mamacitas encourage
our group to think about all of the ways we might
make a difference in the lives of Cabrini students.
Educating young women’s minds, hearts, and
souls is more important today than ever. We know
the world is even more challenging than it was in
our time. Giving to Mother Cabrini financially,
professionally, spiritually and personally are things
we are eager to do. We are hoping to contribute to
Mother Cabrini High School in a variety of ways.
Maria Carrion, one of the many Cabrini Grammar
School and High School members of the class of
1974, sums it up for many of us:
“Little did I know that when Julie, AnnMarie,
and I visited Cabrini in September, I, too, would
become very emotional like Julie did. When we
went to the third floor and were able to look at
classrooms where I’d been a student at Cabrini
Grammar School, it brought back wonderful
memories. I thought of my long-time friends
Debbie Fernandez Weismann and Pilar Pelayo
Curvy. I saw just where we all sat and got even
more emotional. Cabrini holds many fond
memories for me and I couldn’t have asked to
attend a better school. Cabrini instilled values and
knowledge in me that I still rely on today.”
SocheckusoutonYouTube,singingourbeloved
Alma Mater at the time of our 35th Reunion. Like
every Cabrinian, we truly believe that “…her name
we will praise ‘til the end of our days…”
The Cabrinian Winter 2013/2014 11Thank you!
Donors
Victoria Pellecchia, ’64
Ellie Quesada Mattner, ’63
Patricia Ann Redden, ’58
Margaret Rizzo
Eileen Sammon, ’55
Eugenia Scappatura, ’64
Margaret Sheehan, ’62
TIAA-CREF
Arlene M. Totten Scanlon, ’59
Rosemary Weller Hrusko, ’59
Karen Wydra, ’74
Friends of Mother Cabrini
High School
(Gifts up to $100)
Yvette Ballard Duncan
Pamela Burke
Helen Byrne Dooley, 59
Carol A. Buonsignore O’Keefe, ’62
Patrick Bundy
Maureen Campion Sperrazza, ’65
Maria Carrion, ’74
Zoila Carvajal Spelman, ’81
Francine M. Castelluci, ’68
Kathleen Colbert Sutton, ’57
Edward A. DiToro
Hortensia Espinosa
Evelyn Gabriele, ’57
Chris D. Galligan
Anne L. Gilmartin
Carmen M. Gonzalez, ’63
Ann M. Gorman Garvey, ’60
Stephanie Kabacinski
Anne Marie Kerrigan Seery, ’53
Robert & Catherine Lewis
Joan Malanga
Madeline McCardy
Joseph Michaels IV
Anne Murphy Duffy, ’73
Joan Neary Murtha, ’49
Christine Puglisi
Diana Ramasco Woods, ’56
Samuel Reyes
Vera Rossano Guadiani, ’39
Craig Smith
Fran Rossi Szpylczyn
Target
Reunion Organization 101 continued from page 1
Saint Frances Xavier
Cabrini Circle
(Gifts or grants of $15,000 or more)
Children’s Scholarship Fund
Cabrini Mission Foundation
Class of 1974 “40 for 40 Campaign”
Steven A. and Alexandra M. Cohen
Foundation, Inc.
Michael Gordon Foundation
Inner-City Scholarship Fund
Lanza Family Foundation
Margaret Senkewicz Carroll, ’74
Missionary Sisters of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Student Sponsor Partners
Universal Service Fund
Missionary Sisters Circle
(Gifts of $5,000 to $15,000)
Judith Brown
Estate of Marcelle Caccioppoli, ’52
Francis & Rita Carducci
Class of 1963
Congregation de Notre Dame
George Peragine
Daphne Fodor Philipson, ’65
Margo Litwin, ’64
Joann Montobbio Benson, ’69
St. Aloysius School
Mother Ursula Circle
(Gifts of $1,000 to $5,000)
AIG
Frank Boughner
AnnMarie Donovan Cornacchia, ’74
Kirsten Darling
Linda Harvey Grijalva, ’72
John G. Houlihan
Paula Ialongo Greco-McTigue, ’61
Karen Leydon, ’64
Mother Cabrini High School Family Club
Patricia McMahon - Northrop Grumman
Corporation
Rey Polanco
Barbara Vicari Pollock, ’61
Vivian Ramirez Molina, ’64
Kathleen Reardon Everett, ’64
Scott Redhead
Bruce Segall
Ellen Simonetti, ’64
Eileen Slevin, ’72
Paul Snatchko
Sr. Patricia Spillane, MSC
The California Wellness Foundation
Albert & Elizabeth Torres
Mother George Circle
(Gifts of $500 to $1,000)
Cornelia Connelly Center
Julio & Antoinette Devita Motal, ’66
Katherine Egan Grawehr, ’64
Sandra Gelpi Cardone, ’60
Anna Therese McGowan
Claudia Piantieri Costa, ’74
Sonia Pineda, ’74
Barbara Walsh, ’59
Benefactor’s Club
(Gifts of $300 to $500)
Silvia Cabreja, ’98
Marion Gallant Paolillo, ’54
Century Club
(Gifts of $100 to $300)
Christina Aiello Olearick, ’71
Sr. Antonina Avitabile, MSC, ’66
Joan Bell Fitzgerald, ’43
Cabrini Boggiano Lepis, ’57
Barbara Cain Rucci
Angel Campoverde
Ada I. Canino, ’65
Anna E. Collins, ’50
Gene Cornacchia
Barbara Evans Fuller
FMC Corporation Matching Gift Plan
Dolores Flynn Tompa, ’52
Lillian M. Frisko, ’55
Grisel Lopez-Diaz
Celeste Martinez, ’83
Jace McEwan, ’73
Mary McIntyre Anderson, ’58
Frances Mendez Palau, ’58
Patricia O’Conner Turner, ’52
Helen M. O’Leary, ’59
Theresa M. O’Shea Oury, ’55
Ali Navarro - Kaiser Permanente
Community Giving Campaign
Josephine Nunez-Gross, ’63
Our apologies to any donor who may have been accidentally omitted from the list above or incorrectly categorized.
Note: Many companies match contributions. If you are a Mother Cabrini donor and need any assistance or details to facilitate a matching
contribution from your company, please contact Paul Snatchko in the Advancement Office at (212) 923-9114 or paul.s@cabrinihs.org.
The Mother Cabrini High School community extends its sincere appreciation to the generous alumnae
and other supporters who have helped to sustain this institution over the course of its nearly 115-year history.
Your support enables us to carry on our tradition of academic excellence and “education of the heart.”
In a particular way, we express our gratitude to the donors listed below who have made recent gifts:

7. Mother Cabrini High School
701 Fort Washington Ave.
New York, NY 10040
1944 (70 Years)
1949 (65 Years)
1954 (60 Years)
1959 (55 Years)
1964 (50 Years)
1969 (45 Years)
1974 (40 Years)
1979 (35 Years)
1984 (30 Years)
1989 (25 Years)
1994 (20 Years)
1999 (15 Years)
2004 (10 Years)
2009 (5 Years)
You Are Invited!
Mother Cabrini High School
Annual Reunion
Saturday, April 5, 2014
9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (or later)
All alumnae are encouraged to attend as we salute
in a special way 2014’s anniversary classes:
The reunion will include morning Mass, a special guest speaker, musical performances, a
delicious luncheon, school tours, evening receptions for our anniversary classes -- and more!
To serve on the reunion planning committee, please contact Silvia Cabreja at (212) 923-3540,
ext. 42, or silvia.cabreja@cabrinihs.org.
We look forward to seeing you there!