Four Presented with Dominican Alumnae Awards

Four Rosary graduates were presented with Dominican Alumnae Awards at the all-school reunion in November, 2023.

 

The Dominican Alumnae Award recognizes graduates who model the mission of Rosary High School and who live the truth (Veritas).

Through preaching with their lives, award winners use their gifts to further Christ’s teachings and are an inspiration to peers as well as students of Rosary High School.

“Joy Trimble has devoted her life to helping others deepen their relationship with God by leading through serving. She completed the Spiritual Direction Program in 2004 for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky, and then received her Master of Pastoral Studies in 2010 from Loyola University in New Orleans. Joy's work experience includes being the Director of Lifelong Formation at Saint Pius X Church in Louisville where she planned, developed and coordinated specific and applicable religious education programs to foster the needs of the parish and school. She later became the Pastoral Associate at St. Leonard Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Her duties included assisting the Pastor with Liturgy and Sacraments, developing and executing opportunities for Adult Faith Formation, providing Pastoral Care to the sick and dying, Bereavement Ministry, Spiritual companioning, and many other duties. Joy also has volunteered as a Leader of Prayer, Lector Coordinator, and taught English as a second language.

“I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award than Joy,” Nominated by Deborah Schramer (’74)

 

 “I consider Susan Kies an inspiration to all young women. Her humble goal of “becoming a teacher” was not only achieved, but brought her to heights she never dreamed of; to heights typically reserved for males,” wrote her nominator, Chris Burke (’74).

“After graduating from Holy Angels in 1970, Rosary in 1974, the University of Illinois in 1978, Susan eventually completed both her MS and EdD in Curriculum and Instruction. From there, Susan climbed her way up the University of Illinois ladder, from Professor to Assistant Dean, Associate Dean, Secretary of the Board of Trustees at the University Illinois …She went even higher than that when she served the University as Interim Vice President of Programs and Research of the Association of Governing Bodies of Universities and Colleges. In her retirement, Susan’s ongoing service to the University is as Clinical Associate Professor Emerita of Pathology in the College of Medicine. Susan is also widely published and has participated and has presented in conferences and universities worldwide.

“After all these 49 1/2 years since we left Rosary, Susan Kies remains a friend and an inspiration to me, and to our Class of 1974, and to the extended Rosary High School community, as well as a credit to the benefits of a Dominican education,” Chris wrote.

 “Jane Duffy Wolf grew up on a small dairy farm near Somonauk, Illinois. She was the fourth child in a family of ten children. Her parents emphasized their Catholic faith and education. Jane was a class officer of the Class of 1968. After obtaining an Education degree at Loyola University, she taught at Sandwich High School and St. Mary's Grade School in Plano. She then went to work at Waubonsee College where she taught Developmental Writing. She went on to teach office skills in a new program that helped women obtain workforce skills. When the funding for that program ended, she found a job at Illinois Valley Vocational Center in Sandwich. In her 50s, she obtained her Master's Degree in Educational Administration from NIU. She retired as Assistant Director of Illinois Valley Vocational Center.

During her childhood, and when raising her own three children, Jane spent a lot of time at local libraries. So when the Sandwich library needed a new building, she worked on the campaign. After being elected to the Sandwich Library Board, Jane was involved in the building process. She has now served as the President of the Sandwich Library Board for ten years. Jane says "I have loved libraries since I was a little girl and I love the idea of giving back." Jane was featured in the "Sandwiched Between the Books" podcast in August. She was nominated by Mary (Fraser ‘68) Hodson.

 “At nineteen years old, Linda was gravely ill. She vowed then if she recovered, she would minister to others in need. Linda’s philosophy is that everyone is here on this Earth to help one another. In particular, she truly loves spending time with and helping the elderly. Her ministry of over 45 years has evolved beyond her parish and into the Aurora community.”

As a lifetime member of Annunciation Parish in Aurora, she attends Mass daily. The areas of her volunteer work in the parish include: Historian, RCIA training coordinator, Eucharistic Minister, communion distributor for the homebound, maintainer of the Grotto, calling the homebound elderly, co-chairing the Agape meals, and albs coordinator. She was awarded the parish’s Woman of Inspiration award in 2014.

Her service to the Aurora community includes 13 years in Cub Scout and Boy Scout leadership, and cleaning homes and grocery shopping for those in need.

 “It is very evident to those who meet Linda that she is a very genuine, warm, and compassionate person. She is a very behind-the-scene person, who truly conducts her ministry as a fulfilling, lifelong calling rather than for any notoriety. I have known Linda for fifty years as a classmate as well as a parent of a Rosary student. She is an amazing and inspirational individual.” Nominated by Roberta (Johnson ’76) Stubing.

Thank you to these amazing Rosary graduates for all they have done to preach with their lives and make the world a better place.

Susan was unable to attend the November reunion, so her award was presented at a luncheon in Champaign, Illinois. Sister Alberta Lawless, OP, was a surprise guest.

 

 

Plan now for the 2024 Awards:
The 2024 all-school reunion is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, at Noon, followed by our annual Remembrance Mass on Sunday, November 17, at 9 am.

 

Nominate a classmate for a Dominican Alumnae Award using this form.