We remember

11/12/2024

Vale

We remember and acknowledge members of our community who have passed away. Catherine McAuley College Bendigo would like to pay tribute to members of our community who have recently died and extend our condolences to their family and friends.

To add remembrances or notify us of the passing of a member of the CMCB community, please contact the Alumni Office.

Passed away in 2024:

Tony D’ORSA (February 2024) SVC Class of 1969
Kelvin John FITZPATRICK (6.5.2024) SVC Class of 1970
Sr Cecilia GLEESON (25.10.1931 – 27.6.2024) SMC Staff member
Patricia Nihill GIBBON (5.7.2024) SMC Class of 1955, Boarder – formerly of Creek View via Elmore
Kevin FOLEY (11.11.1939 – 31.5.2024) CCB Staff member
Bob HAYDEN (September 2024) CCB Staff member
Roger McDONALD (October 2024) SVC 1962
Therese Marie WINSPEAR (November 2024) SMC Class of 1980

Sr Mary Duffy rsm

12/5/1937 – 16/9/2024

(SMC Class of 1954)
Former Principal of St Mary’s College, and then the inaugural Principal of Catholic College Bendigo, Sr Mary has been a commanding presence in the history of this College. Her enthusiasm for education in Bendigo was legendary as was her hard work and dedication to her religious profession.

Sr Eileen Dowling rsm (Sr Mercier)

14/02/1931 – 15/10/2024

A much loved Sister of Mercy involved in various ministries including education. Died peacefully at Mercy Place East Melbourne on 15 October 2024 in the 69th year of her Religious Profession.

Daniel Patrick (Danny) ELLIS

30/01/1967 – 06/06/2024

(Class of 1984) Family man, the lifeblood of the Sandhurst Football Netball Club and dedicated volunteer, Danny Ellis died of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia aged 57. He played 115 senior games for Sandhurst, which included winning the 1988 Bendigo Football League goal-kicking award. He became president of the club in 1996, was a premiership president in 2004, secretary for 13 years and was still on the committee in 2024.

Passed away in 2023:

Loretta Mary Frigerio DILLON (29.08.1939 – 01.12.2023) – SMC Intermediate Class of 1955
Norma Florence Wee Hee FAWDRY (31.12.2022) – SMC Proficiency Class of 1945
Robert James PRITCHARD (December 2022) SMC Class of 1963
Margaret Teresa DRAKE (20.05.44 – 29.01.23) – SMC Class of 1961
Judy Anne Bonazza GANE (26.11.1942 – 18.2.2023) – SMC Class of 1960
Robyn Annette JAMES (20.2.2023) – SMC Class of 1961 (boarder)
Desmond Patrick SHEEDY (26.9.2023) – First student enrolled at St Vincent’s College
James ‘Jim’ Connelly KENNEDY 8.11.1947 – 27.7.2023 – SVC Class of 1965
Birgit HUSS (8.5.2023) – Teacher of French at St Mary’s College 1976-1978
Paul Francis MCNAMARA (3.3.1949 – 10.7.2023) – SVC Class of 1967
Dean Joseph MANNES (12.7.1977 – 28.3.2023) – CCB Class of 1995
Dr Madeleine ‘Maddy’ Grace TAYLOR (4.1.1996 – 18.8.2023) – CCB Class of 2013
Loretta Mary Frigerio Dillon (1.12.2023) SMC Class of 1957
Margaret Kewming Bramley (2023) SMC Class of 1968

Sr Denise DOYLE rsm

1933 – 17/3/2023

Sr Denise was a former student and boarder at St Mary’s College (SMC Class of 1950). She enjoyed a lifetime of service as a Sister of Mercy and a highly accomplished teacher, including thirteen years teaching at her own former school, St Mary’s College. Sister Denise died peacefully in the 70th year of her Religious Profession.

Sr Irene Elizabeth MONIGATTI rsm

18.2.2023

SMC Class of 1957

Sr Irene died peacefully in Ballarat, aged 85 years, in the 67th year of her religious profession. A much loved Sister of Mercy and teacher. She was the daughter of Paul and Peg Monigatti, sister of Mary, Margaret, Frank (dec), Sr Teresa Monigatti rsm, Joan, John and Kathleen. Her motto was “I know the one in whom I have trusted”.

Passed in 2022:

Judith Ann BATEMAN – SMC Class of 1961
Mary Joan Cooney HARRISON – SMC Class of 1954
Alan Gerard McGRATH – SVC Class of 1969
Richard McCURRY – SVC 1959
Barry D’ORSA – SVC Class of 1964

Judy Stuchbery

1947 – 13 December 2022

Teacher at St Mary’s College – 1979 -1983

Mother of Owen and Milica. Nana of Andrea, Oliver and Isabelle.

Lawrence Xavier O’Toole

SVC – Class of 1967

Publisher, photographer, author and hot rodding enthusiast, Larry O’Toole was farewelled with a final cruise through town after his death in September 2022.

Larry grew up on a farm at Ultima and spent most of his adult life in Castlemaine, playing a significant role in the local community and building up the region to be the Hot Rod Centre of Australia.

Sr Maureen Howley rsm

12/09/2022

Maureen Agnes Howley died peacefully at Mercy Health Bethlehem Home for the Aged, Bendigo aged 88 years and in her 69th year of Religious Profession. She attended St Mary’s College in 1948 and 1949 and was professed in 1957. In her later years she took a keen interest in the activities of CMC especially the iGEN program.

Michael Francis Coates (Mick)

1952- 2022

Loved brother of Peter, Tim, Julie, Paula and families. Beloved son of Frank and Peg.

Originally from Balranald, Mick attended St Vincent’s College from 1964 until 1967.

Marjorie McIntosh Bosscher

Marj was born on 26 November 1946 and started at St Mary’s College in 1951 as a Prep. She remained until the end of Intermediate and completed Leaving and Matric at St Mary’s Mount Ballarat.

Marj was married to Mike and they had two sons. Throughout her life, she was a successful businesswoman and an amateur artist. She died on 15 August 2022 in Brookefield, Queensland.

Mary O’Brien Gastin

Mary Gastin boarded at St Mary’s College from Tennyson in 1933. Later, she and her husband were publicans at the Manchester Arms Hotel. Mary had fond memories of her time at St Mary’s and attended the last Boarders Reunion in 2019. Mary’s children and grandchildren also attended the College. She passed away on 10 December 2021 aged 103.

William Bandy

Bill Bandy was a valued member of the St Vincent’s College Past Students Association, having attended the College between 1956 and 1959. In 1959 he was captain of the first Under 17 St Vincent’s football team to win the premiership in the Golden City Football League. Bill passed away in Geelong on 17 October 2021. Omnio in Christo.

Patricia Mary Kelly McConnachie

Pat McConnachie attended St Mary’s College in 1945 and was a much-loved member of the Proficiency Class of 1945. She was an inspirational working mother who was dedicated to her large close-knit family and a loyal friend to her former classmates. Pat died on 2 September 2021.

Eileen Sapikas

Eileen Sapikas attended St Mary’s College in 1958 and 1959. She died peacefully at Freemasons Aged Care, Kangaroo Flat on 16 June 2021.

Andrew Johnston

Andrew Johnston attended Marist Brothers College from 1976 to 1981. Andrew was a respected part of the Bendigo real estate industry. He passed away at Murray Downs on 20 March 2021.

Valerie Brehaut Weaver

Valerie Brehaut Weaver boarded at St Mary’s College from Moulamein NSW between 1960 and 1965. She died on 30 January 2021.

Joanne Le Sueur

Joanne Le Sueur boarded at St Mary’s College from Cohuna between 1960 and approximately 1964. She died on 31 December 2020.

Vivienne Rankins McMillan

Vivienne Rankins McMillan attended St Mary’s College from 1974 to 1977. She was a member of the HSC Class of 1977. After graduating, she undertook a Bachelor of Science Education at Melbourne University. Vivienne taught at many schools throughout Victoria before returning to Bendigo to teach at Girton Grammar, where she worked for 20 years. Vivienne died on 13 December 2020.

Ethel Evaline Pritchard Hendy

Ethel Evaline Pritchard Hendy passed away in Nerang, Queensland on 5 December 2020. She attended St Mary’s College from 1948 to 1958.

Fr John O’Keefe CM

Former teacher and St Vincent’s College school President Fr John O’Keefe died in Sydney on 19 June 2020, aged 88 and in his 63rd year of Priesthood as a member of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers and Brothers). He was farewelled at St Anthony’s Church, Marsfield NSW.

Sr Clare Conway rsm

Sister Clare (Sr Felicitas) died on Tuesday 18 June 2019 in the 70th year of her religious profession. Sr Clare remained immersed in the life of her community and her large extended family to her final days and she was fortunate to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in January 2019. Many of her former students formed a guard of honour at her funeral.