Madigan Muses: New Year Special Events
by Marilyn Madigan
This year I will be celebrating a special milestone. I graduated from St. Joseph Academy fifty years ago, on June 3rd. Many of my classmates have started to plan for this special occasion. In looking back at my years at St. Joseph Academy (SJA), I must thank the Congregation of St. Joseph for their dedication and commitment in educating young women.
On the school’s website in the Mission Statement, it says: “Saint Joseph Academy, rooted in the spirituality of the Congregation of St. Joseph, fosters unifying relationships with God and all creation, empowers each young woman to achieve academic excellence, and inspires, a life of compassionate leadership and service in a global society.”
The young women that walked the halls of SJA made lasting friendships and set out to achieve their life goals. Our Alumni includes doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, authors and members of religious communities. No matter what profession or occupation, these women made an impact on their communities, and most importantly, on their families.
St. Joseph Academy The Academy Gala
On February 25, 2023, Celebrate the Academy Gala will be held, Helen Malloy, Class of ‘57 will be honored. Helen is an excellent example of someone that lives the mission statement of St. Joseph Academy. She received a Walks of Life Award from the Irish American Archives Society and was recently recognized by the City of Cleveland as one of the outstanding Seniors in Cleveland.
Helen was born in Cleveland to Catherine and Patrick Malloy. She is a lifelong member of the West Park area of Cleveland and a parishioner of St. Vincent De Paul. Helen graduated from St. Joseph Academy and began a career that lasted for thirty-eight years with East Ohio Gas.
She is very proud of her Irish heritage. Her parents were immigrants from County Mayo, Ireland. Helen is a lifelong member of the West Side Irish American Club, serving in a variety of volunteer roles. She was the first woman president of the club. She continues to serve on the Board of Trustees.
Helen also has memberships in the Irish American Archives Society, Irish American Club East Side, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and is a member of the United Irish Society, an organization who coordinates the City of Cleveland’s annual St. Patrick Day parade each March. For her contributions to the Irish American Community, she was selected as the Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, only the second woman in the history of the parade to receive that honor.
Helen is happy to help wherever she can be of assistance to those in need. She prefers to stay in the background, but that does not stop her from organizing fundraisers for organizations like Malachi House and Little Brothers and Sisters of the Poor.
As an Alumni of SJA, I am very proud that my friend, Hibernian and SJA sister is being honored at the Celebrate the Academy Gala as the Distinguished Alumni for 2023. Congratulations Helen!
*Marilyn Madigan is the National President of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and a Deputy Director of the United Irish Societies of Cleveland. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. John College and retired from Nursing at University Hospitals of Cleveland.
