Alumni Notes
1967
Sherrie (Terwilliger) Conover says the Mount “gave me the greatest education in the field of teaching. I was able to go on and get a master’s degree at BU in reading and a Certificate of Advanced Study at New Paltz, N.Y. in administration. Thank you for giving me the beginning of a great career.”
1971
Deborah (Mayo) Lazarus sends greetings from South Florida. She and husband, Kevin, retired to Florida 20 years ago. They have many visits from their four children and four grandchildren throughout the year. Craft projects, library activities, golfing, and volunteering keep them active. This year they will be celebrating their 75th birthdays and 53 years of marriage. “Blessings and good health to all,” said Deb.
1972
Michelle (Conant) Carr has enjoyed a great career as a Nurse practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatry in her private practice, but has reduced it to half-time in recent years. Now she enjoys an old love of hers: reading and writing poetry. Some of it is silly and some serious. She has good memories of the Mount, and especially Sr. Leona, who inspired so many in Nursing.
Joseph O’Connor’s last talk at Molloy University titled “Who Needs Perfection?” was a crowd pleaser. Instinctively, Joe suggested that everyone wants to succeed, accomplish, and get ahead, but “dare to be average” and you’ll be happier, healthier, and more productive. After all, he warned the audience, we are fallible and inclined to have bad days, colds, and the weight of the world on our shoulders. Happy new year.
1974
Patricia Cavanagh discovered at the Cavanagh Family Christmas Party that there were seven Mounties among them.
In class order from left to right: Jeanine Christiansen D’Amico ’06, Jaci D’Amico Cavanagh ’05, Mark Cavanagh ’06, Heather Cavanagh (attended 1993-1994), Colleen Cavanagh Bendernagel ’77, Cathie McCarthy Cavanagh ’77, and Patricia Cavanagh ’74. Mark and Jaci, who met at the Mount, hosted the party at their home in Waterbury, Conn. on December 28, 2024. Jeanine married Jaci’s brother and Cathie married Colleen’s and Patricia’s brother. Heather Cavanagh is Mark’s cousin and Patricia, Cathie, and Colleen’s niece.
1975
Nancy (Rust) Sutherland was appointed by the Florida State Regent Daughters of the American Revolution to Chair, Flag of the United States of America 2023-25. Proper flag usage, respect, protocol, retirement, and days to fly the flag are presented to chapters and the public at various special events. She was also named a delegate to the 133rd Continental Congress event in Washington, DC in June 2024.
Photo: Flag ceremony at DAR Headquarters, DC.
1978
Lisa (Nuzzo) Arnsdorff is happily entering her 16th year of retirement from public education! She enjoyed attending her 50th High School Class Reunion of Newburgh Free Academy in September 2024. "Adventure awaits,” she said, and she is looking forward to more travels with family and friends.
1980
Alice (Murphy) Yoder is so thankful for the education, guidance, and her dearest friends that have helped shape how she thinks about making a difference in this world, particularly focused on those most marginalized. She is thrilled to complete her first year as Lancaster County, Pa. Commissioner. “I truly believe my nursing education has uniquely prepared me for this role caring for the community,” she said. “Thank you, Mount Saint Mary College!”
1981
Linda (Dobias) Dombroski and husband Greg took a wonderful trip to Europe in August 2024. They started in Switzerland touring the Alps and then boarded the Viking river ship. They saw the castles on the Rhine, did the German wine country on the Moselle River, and went to the WWII D-Day cemetery in Luxembourg. They ended their European vacation with three days in Paris.
1982
Jean Marie (Olson) Fortunato is going to be a grandma again! Her youngest daughter, Andrea, and Andrea’s husband Greg are expecting their first child in March.
Kathleen (Doyle) Parisi is Assistant Assessor for the City of Newburgh.
Kathy (McCarthy) Scott has worked in many areas of Nursing since graduating. She was also a traveling nurse and lived in several places, including Hawaii. Kathy is now a Case Management Supervisor in Denver, Colo. She says, “Mount Saint Mary gave me the gift of education which has served me well. To all of you Nursing students: Rock on. You will have wonderful careers. Your jobs will never be easy, but rewarding.”
1983
Kerry (King) Sokolohorsky officially retired after more than 40 years of employment at Helen Hayes Hospital, most recently working as the Associate Director of Nursing.
1984
Colleen (Keating) Stevens started a new job in May as Clinical Director of SunCrest Home Health Greensboro, N.C., while her husband, Larry, retired! They have three kids: the oldest is a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) travel nurse currently in Seattle; the middle child has a new house and fiancée; and the youngest is an assistant general manager and mother of their beautiful grandson. She’s still very close with her two besties from the Mount!
1985
Michael Mclymore Sr. is graduating on May 17, 2025 with his doctorate from Russell Sage College in Albany, N.Y. in Educational Leadership.
Eileen (Mickey) Rogers has been retired from teaching Mathematics at Berne Knox Westerlo for two years now, after teaching for 37 years. She would love to get together with “you guys” from GA3 81 – 82.
1988
Donna (van Halem) McCarthy celebrated 25 years of marriage to her husband, Glenn, with a cruise down the Rhine River. She enjoys working as an owner of McCarthy and De Luca, CPA firm in Manasquan, N.J., and still hangs out with her Mount roommate Kathy Minardi Fenniman.
MaryKay (Hollenbeck) Messenger proudly served the Army and retired from active duty with the West Point Band of the United States Military Academy. It was only going to be a three-year enlistment that started January 1996, and extended to 29-plus years. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve, and thankful for the support from my family, and friends,” she said. “My civilian life starts March 1, 2025, but I am a soldier for life.”
1990
Jacqueline (Cracolici) Gallo earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2021. She said,
“Hi Andrew D! I remember all the great memories when I was at the Mount! Priceless…..The best education I received and fun times.”
1997
Michael McCarville resigned from his MH treatment apartment team leader job in New York and moved to Myrtle Beach with his wife Deirdre, sons Noel and Daniel, two cats, and a golden retriever. He worked in a methadone clinic as a clinical counselor and now works as an SMI BH Caseworker. They miss the majestic and historic Hudson Valley, but love going to the beach and the warmer weather.
2003
Brian Denisar is President and CEO of Bobbitt Design / Build of Raleigh, N.C. He won the Fast 50 Award for the fourth year in a row. This is awarded to the Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies in Raleigh, N.C. In addition, the company was named to Business North Carolina’s Best Employers list for three years in a row. Bobbitt, founded in 1946, is a mid size commercial construction firm with 130 employees. Brian has been the CEO since 2020.
This past fall, he had a special visit from his mom, Mount staffer Faye Denisar. She drove down with the Mount baseball team and they watched a few games together. The Denisars had a great dinner with the entire Mount team and coaches. It brought back a lot of wonderful memories from Brian’s time at the Mount.
2020
Jose E. Colotla is currently a Senior Assurance Associate at Aprio, LLP, a top 25 accounting firm. He focuses on many different industries and is able to travel within the U.S. and to Latin American companies – even training interns and new hires.
2023
Todd Weaver is heading a brand new STEAM program at Millbrook Central School District in the Elementary Schools.
Weddings
2014 & 2016
Rachel (McGinty) Shaw ’14 MBA ’16 married Joseph Shaw on June 29, 2024. Although Joe didn’t attend the Mount, they met behind CC9 in 2015 when Rachel was carrying laundry and Joe offered to help. Joe was on campus meeting their mutual friend, alumna Meghan (Twomey) Sternemann ’15. In addition to Meghan, Rachel’s bridal party also included MSMC alumni: Danielle Alessandro ’15 (MOH) and Nicole Sookdeo ’14 ’17.
2017, 2021
Amanda (Wright) Terralavoro ’17 ’21 has been working at the Warwick Valley Middle School teaching seventh grade ELA for six years. This summer, she married Oneonta graduate and fellow educator, Nicholas Terralavoro. The couple was thrilled to have many MSMC alumni and staff attend, including James Phillips and wife, Mary, who Amanda credits as having helped bring her the greatest friendships in her life.
2019, 2020
Derek (O'Hanlon) Horne ’19 and Rosemarie (Budhwa) Horne ’20 were married in the Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary at Mount Saint Mary College on June 1, 2024. Several Mount alumni, faculty, and staff were in attendance. Destiny Bettica ’20 and Meredith Murphy ’20 served as bridesmaids and Andrew Shultis ’19, Nicholas Viviano ’19, and Troy Watson ’19 were groomsmen.
Births
2010
Christina (Richichi) Costello and husband Joe Costello welcomed their first baby, Claire Mackenzie Costello, on November 13, 2024.
2017
Daria (Sullivan) Keenan and Blake Keenan ’18 welcomed their first baby, Graham Keenan, in early October. He is excited to visit the Mount one day to see where his parents journey started!
In Memoriam
1966
Mary Ellen Dolan Cangiano ’66, mother of Maura Cangiano Petrillo ’01, passed away on July 2, 2024.
1975
Brian L. Carrington ’75, died peacefully at home on August 12, 2024, after an eight year struggle with cancer. He was the loving husband of Denise (Slabicki) Carrington ’74, for 49 years. They were staunch proponents of organ donation, since Denise donated a kidney to Brian 21 years ago.