Alumnae Awards

In her nomination, an alumna writes, “In each Fontbonne classroom hangs a plaque which describes the Fontbonne woman as one of wisdom and grace, gracious hospitality, leadership, service, courage, integrity and faith. I can think of no one who more greatly embodies and lives these attributes than Geraldine Lynch Maus, ’70.”

A graduate of Boston College, Geri returned to Fontbonne to teach in the English Department from 1995-2009. Years later, alumnae still recall the energy and enthusiasm of Mrs. Maus’ classes, the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere she created, her insistence that they find and use their voices, and achieve their personal bests. Said the same alumna, “Geri was a master teacher: certainly meeting all the standards of an English course for her students, but also willing to act out stories, break into song, or come to class in costume. There was no such thing as an unengaged young woman in Mrs. Maus’ room!”

In addition to Geri’s faith-motivated service to Catholic education, and Fontbonne in particular, she has served at St. Agatha’s Parish in Milton for decades as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and member of the pre-Cana marriage team.

Geri lives in South Weymouth with her husband, John, and is the mother of Siobhan Johnson ’96, Christine Joyce ’95, and Caroline Maus ’02.

Dolly Di Pesa is the Managing Partner of Di Pesa & Company, CPA’s in Quincy, Massachusetts. Additionally, Dolly serves on many Boards for both non-profit and for profit entities. She co-founded the Women’s Business Connection of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, is a Past President of New England Women Business Owners and the Alliance of Women’s Business and Professional Organization. She is Past President of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Quincy. Dolly currently serves as a Director at First Financial Trust, a member of her Reunion Committee at Boston College, and chairs a Fundraising Committee for Friends of Thai Daughters, Inc., an organization that provides education, a safe home, and emotional support to girls in an area with a high risk of human trafficking. 

Bill Brett’s recently released book, Game Changers, features Dolly. She also previously taught special needs students at Cardinal Cushing Centers in Hanover, MA and was honored by the school in 2021.

Dolly holds an A.B. from Boston College in Special Education and Elementary Education and an M.S. in Accounting from Bentley University. She lives in Quincy and is the mother of John and Anthony Arcanti.

Farah Bernier ‘98

Mary Gibbons Clark ‘74

Elizabeth Conley ‘03

Maureen Conlon ‘86

Judith Flynn Coyne ‘76

Stephanie Cuffe ‘00

Lauren Remmes Delaney ‘03

Rosemarie Foley ‘82 

Patricia Furey ‘97

Allison Cafferky Genovese ‘91

Marta Fasano Googins ‘61

Patricia Hopkins ‘72

Kerry Carney Hayes ‘84

Kerry Dennis Killgoar ‘96

Beverly Falcione Marano ‘59 (posthumously)

Olivia McCall ‘09

Theresa Montani ‘83

Kerrin O’Leary ‘07

Laurie Pidgeon ‘92

Barbara Ryan Ryder ‘98

Donna Crowley Salem ‘81 (posthumously)

Helene Swiatek Savicki ‘59

Sheila Halloran Skowrya ‘99  

Kathleen Sullivan ‘67

Elizabeth Sweeney ‘76

Heather Bello Thornhill ‘01

Sharon Brewster is the Chief Brand and Creative Officer at Brewster Branding where she uses a supportive approach to help clients achieve their business goals through brand coaching sessions, workshops, creating websites, logos, marketing/event materials, signage, and managing social media.
Raised in a family business, Sharon is a lifelong learner and uses her business acumen and creativity to inspire small business owners and entrepreneurs. She is passionate about business innovation, entrepreneurship, and offering opportunities to young professionals.

She holds a Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University, Certificate in Strategies for a Sustainable and Purpose Economy from FIT/SUNY, and completed her Purpose Driven Brands studies. Sharon earned a Mini-MBA in Digital Marketing from Rutgers University, BFA in Graphic Design from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Eastern Nazarene College.

Sharon was recognized as the 2021 National Women’s Empowerment Ministry’s Business Woman of the Year. She is the recipient of The Education Cooperative’s 2020 Mentor of the Year. Under Sharon's leadership, Brewster Branding was nominated for the 2021 LUXLife Global Excellence Award in “Innovation & Creativity in Brand Strategy” and winner of the 2021 Media Innovator Awards “Best Brand Narrative Marketing Agency” and 2020 LUXLife Global Excellence Award “Best Graphic & Web Design Agency — Massachusetts.”

When she is not working, you can find Sharon spending time with her family and making crafts for her latest business venture Wreaths by Jane Smith.

As offered in her nomination, “Kristen embodies what it means to serve the Dear Neighbor. In 2020, Kristen’s son, Matthew, died by suicide after a long and difficult battle with depression. Since then, Kristen and her family have committed to honoring the life of Matthew through creating Matthew’s Crew, an organization dedicated to creating dialogue surrounding mental health, finding ways to support and connect those experiencing mental health issues, and advocating for improvement in the delivery of mental health services in the United States.”
 
In September of 2020, Matthew’s Crew was the largest team entered in the Samaritans 5K walk with 135 participants, raising over $16,000. In December of 2020, a Holiday Gift Drive organized by Matthew’s Crew and inspired by Matthew’s desire to bring joy to those living in mental health facilities during the holidays, raised over $1,600 in gifts for patients.

Also from the a former classmate, “More inspiring than Kristen’s work in creating an impactful organization that seeks to connect and serve neighbors, is her character. Kristen is steadfast in her faith, graceful in her leadership and intentional in her relationships. Kristen is the epitome of a Fontbonne woman through and through and is most deserving of this award.

The Woman of Courage Award is designed to recognize those who stand out and provide leadership and example for our students today and tomorrow as well as inspiration for all Fontbonne Alumnae.

The Fontbonne Woman of Courage Award celebrates Alumnae who confidently live and apply the mission, values and lessons learned at Fontbonne Academy in service to their neighbors and the community.  

The Woman of Courage is presented annually to a member of a Reunion Class.

The Distinguished Alumna Award is presented to an Alumna who is recognized among her peers as a woman who has excelled in her field of expertise. Nominations are sought from all Alumnae and members of the Learning Community.

The Dear Neighbor Award is presented to a current Alumnae member of the Fontbonne community that has exemplified the values of supporting and servicing the Dear Neighbor per the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph. All alumnae are eligible for this award.

The Distinguished Young Alumna Award is given to a graduate from the past 15 years. The Alumna has demonstrated exceptional community involvement, has made significant contributions to humanity and/or the environment, and continues to live by the mission and values of the Sisters of St. Joseph.