In February, 2018, Cathy Schoonover arrived at Villa Assumpta to assume the position of Development Associate. She was introduced to Director of Associates Suzy Blackburn, and mentioned that she had been taught by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, having graduated from Bishop Walsh High School in Cumberland in 1979. When Suzy responded that she had been teaching English at Bishop Walsh at that time, Cathy looked at her and said, “Sister Suzanne?”
In 1979, Cathy Palumbo Schoonover was a senior, Suzy was still Sister Suzanne (she later left the order, married, and became a SSND associate before accepting her Director position), and another Villa Assumpta resident, Sister Stephanie Mary Pilachowski, was also on the faculty at Bishop Walsh, teaching history. A quick phone call to the sisters in Cumberland reunited them with Sister Phyllis McNally, who in 1979 was a guidance counselor at Bishop Walsh.
“What a wonderful surprise to be reconnected with Bishop Walsh SSND faculty after almost 40 years!" says Cathy. "This truly is a case of coming full circle. It is so exciting to be working with Suzy and other current and former SSNDs. Suzy, Sr. Stephanie Mary and I recently had a delightful visit reviewing the BW yearbook and reminiscing of our time at Bishop Walsh. Fond memories, much laughter and great stories were exchanged. Go Spartans!”
