Golden Girls Celebrate a Golden Jubilee
On Friday, May 30, 2014 over 400 alumnae from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing gathered to remember, reunite and relive the memories they shared as students of St. Joseph’s Nursing program. In 1911, St. Joseph’s School of Nursing opened and their alumnae group has grown to 595 members, the largest nursing alumnae association in Canada. The annual celebration recognizes the care, compassion and commitment demonstrated by St. Joseph’s Nursing graduates; however, this year marked a golden jubilee for the 50th graduating class of 1964.
The day began with Mass at Carmen’s Banquet Centre followed by lunch and time to reminisce. Many special guests, including Winnie Doyle, Sister Ann Marshall, Sister Patricia Hanlon and Sister Patricia Valeriote, joined the alumnae who travelled from places like Nevada, Utah, Florida, British Columbia and Calgary to take part in the special celebration.
Marietta Pupo, Pat McAvella and Suzanne Duffy, graduates from the Class of 1964, shared stories about their time at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. They recalled moving away from home at 17 years old, the strict rules of their probationary period, the Red Rose Ball, sun bathing on the roof of the Fontbonne residence and receiving their graduation rings. Suzanne said, “We lived together, worked together, cried together and laughed together. In the end, we survived together and we have a bond that can’t be broken. We are a family”. Marietta, Pat and Suzanne are three of the 91 women known as the Golden Girls—a name given to honour them as the 50th class of St. Joseph’s School of Nursing.
Congratulations to the Class of 1964 and to all of the St. Joseph’s Nursing Alumnae. St. Joseph’s is proud to honour the hard work and dedication displayed by the women who lived the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph.