If you have pictures or other memories to share, please attach them to an email (alumni@stbeatriceschool.com) or send them to
St. Beatrice School, attn: Alumni coordinator
4141 Atlantic Schiller Park, IL 60176
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St. Beatrice School Alumni News
In the fall of 2007, we decided to connect to our past. Letters were sent to the School Sisters of St. Francis who were integral to the birth and growth of our school. Here are some excerpts from the responses.
Sister Marguerite LaMothe (Ovid) 1952 -1954.
In 1952, Fr. Henry came to Milwaukee to bring the Sisters to a new school. Sister Marguerite remembers the warm welcome from parishioners and the cooperation the sisters had as they started their first year with grades 1-4. The next year, two more Sisters arrived and grades 5-6 were added. Sister Marguerite remembers her first grade class as a “class of cherubs.” Sister Marguerite, now 91, is a resident of the Sacred Heart Center, the community nursing home. She walks the corridors with her walker and can manage four miles regularly! She promises to keep all in her prayers as she considers us her new friends. You can write her at 1545 S. Layton Blvd. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53215.
Sister Christine Baker (Christine Regine) 1969-1971. Sister Christine compiled some photos of “precious moments and pleasant memories” when she taught the General Music classes at the school. She also worked with the adult choir, funerals, weddings, church services, etc. when Sr. Shirley was the principal. Her photos include the 8th grade band, graduation dance and the trip to Springfield. She has Steve Bucella on drums and Glen Wojda on guitars. She also has a picture of “The Living End” band. She now works in music ministry at St. Catherine Laboure Parish 3360 Thornwood Ave in Glenview, IL 60026. She hopes to attend our gathering in April and looks forward to seeing the students from 1970-1972.
Sister Sue Weinheimer (Sister Ann Regis) 1962-63. She taught at St. Beatrice for one year and sent along her second grade class list of 61 students. She remembers the students made a big book in the shape of an elephant and sent it home each night with a student so their parents could see it. After 42 years of teaching full-time, she semi-retired in 2003. She is working as an aide/tutor at St. Josaphat Basicilica School, three days a week. You can write her at 4803 S. 69th St. Greenfield, Wisconsin 63220.
Sister Therese Panther (Alvera) 1954-1963. Sister Theresa writes of many memories of her years at St. Beatrice School. She sent pictures of the faculty and students in 1954 – including the 56 students in her second grade. She is very excited about our reunion and would love to meet some of her old students. She remembers the need to have two First Communions the one year because she had 72 students in her second grade. So they had one mass for the girls and one for the boys. She taught 5th and 6th grade in the old church while the new one was being built and one day a large crane swung a beam into the window shattering the glass. She just had time to yell, “Drop” as she plopped to the floor. All the kids did so pronto. Glass stuck into walls and all over the place, but no one was hurt! She is now in Madison where she tutors kids and cares for two ladies who are in their nineties and senile. She ends her letter by saying “I loved those kids and I know they loved me.” You can write her at 2029 Frisch Rd Madison, Wisconsin 53711.
Sister Mary (Cor Mariae) 1957-1961. She remembers some good times at the brand new school. Schiller Park had a volunteer Fire Department. They were fascinated at how they jumped out of their truck or car right into their high boots. She said they had very good fire drills! Sister Mary also remembers O’Hare had a military unit and when their jets came in for a landing, passing right over the school, everyone actually “ducked!” She now works in Janesville, Wisconsin. She teaches and interprets for the immigrants at the Hispanic Outreach. She’s proud of her students who have become citizens. She also interprets for the public school district and as a Sylvan teacher. During her free time, she volunteers at St. Mary’s School and loves it! Sister Mary’s address is 1825 Ontario Drive Janesville, Wisconsin 53545.
Sister Kate Brenner (Frances) 1952 – 1969. Sister Kate’s life has been filled with many blessings and she counts her years at St. Beatrice among the most blessed. St. B’s was her first teaching assignment in 1952. She had 66 students in grades 2 and 4. She loved teaching, loved the kids and loved the people of the parish. She says, “We worked hard but also had many good times together.” She taught for twelve years and then was assigned to be principal from 1964 – 69. Her life since then has been one of leadership within the community of the School Sisters of St. Francis in the Chicago area as well as the international community. She has ministered at the Maryville City of Youth as supervisor of the children’s shelter caring for 55 babies. In July of 2006, she returned to the Chicago area to work with the development office of the School Sisters of St. Francis. She volunteers one day a week at the Chicago Archdiocesan Office of Peace and Justice. She currently lives on the Maryville Campus. You can write her at P.O. Box 381 Prospect, IL 60056. Sister Kate ends her letter by saying, “It has been great to see so many of our St. B’s kids since I’ve returned to the area. I am so proud to have been your teacher and/or principal! God loves you and so do I!”
