On the original Digication page, many Manhattanville alumni and friends of Sister Mary T. Clark left comments wishing her a happy birthday and sharing memories of their time with her. While we do not have the ability to allow comments on this page, we have saved and shared the previously made comments here.
Patricia Sullivan Kefer
In Memory of Mary T. Clark, RSCJ `39:
Her life should be a reminder to all of us to keep working on ourselves, to keep improving, as it is never too late to teach and to learn, to continue helping others, and to evolve into strong, bright and caring individuals. She set the bar quite high for all of us.
I am so grateful that Sr. Clark took an interest in my life, and urged me to go to law school. She was not just "talk" but was all about action. She worked her magic and had me signed up for the LSAT prep class, with a scholarship, before I had a chance to blink! From there, it was on to Fordham Law...
With gratitude and prayers,
Patricia A. Sullivan '77 (Fordham Law '80)
09/21/14, 02:26 am
Virginia Bennett
Dear Mother Clark,
This is Virginia Bennett ('62) -- not THAT Virginia Bennett (Ted Kennedy's 1st wife.)I can't tell you how many times I've reflected upon the great training i had in philosophy, which has stood me in such good stead during all these years I've been teaching Russian literature. There is so much of world philosophy in it -- and, of course, Christian thought, too. Recognizing the "echoes" of the great philosophers, about whom we learned from you, in the great Russian writers deepened my understanding of them, which I have faithfully passed on to my students.
Gratefully yours,
Virginia Bennett (One of the first 5 women Ph.D's at Princeton)
11/14/13, 01:47 am
Thomas Brommage
Sr. Clark:
Sorry I was unable to attend your birthday celebration. Please know that you were a tremendous influence on my thought and career path.
Dr. Thomas Brommage ('00)
Lecturer
Philosophy Program
Sam Houston State University
11/13/13, 10:16 pm
Jean Fox Csaposs
Dear Sister Clark:
Happy 100th Birthday!! Sorry we can't be with you today on this glorious occasion, but we wish you many more years of good health and good times!!
-- Jean Fox Csaposs '53 and husband Jim
10/27/13, 04:43 pm
Courtney-Anne Sarpy
Dear Sister Clark,
Warmest congratulations and God's many blessings on your centennial milestone!
I was privileged to be in your Philosophy Class in 1958-59, of which I have fond memories.
Respectfully yours,
Courtney-Anne Sarpy
Class of 1061
10/26/13, 08:27 pm
Mary Bricker-Jenkins -63
Dear, dear Mother Clark,
You were correct: proceeding from contemplation to action has been good for mind, body, and soul. Thank you for allowing me to ask stupid questions and say outrageous things in the Social Action Secretariat office. Your acceptance and support of my journey led me to a life of "joyful struggle," to the riches of frienship, and--following your example--to a great deal of laughter.
So much has changed in 100 years, and you've been a quiet leader in many of the more fortunate changes. But you've also taught us to hold fast to what doesn't change.
Thank you for your life and work. I feel so privileged to have learned from you and, truth be told, to have been mytsified by much of it. That's been a good thing!
10/26/13, 12:14 pm
Nancy Hardart
Dear Sister Clark, Having known you since 2nd academic at Kenwood (a very long time ago!) it pains me to miss your fablous birthday. Please accept my very best wishes for a Happy,happy birthday. Love, Nancy Hardart
10/25/13, 08:57 pm
Mathilda Heintz Gottlieb
Dear Sister Clark:(we used to address you as Mother Clark)
When I came to M'ville in September of 1963, I had no convent school background. Rather, I was educated in the public schools. I did not know what to expect. I was fortunate to find at M'ville sisters such as you who exemplified the best in their field. I remember that you came into my freshman philosphy class on the day President Kennedy was assassinated. You were always so calm.
Later on, I was very fortunate to be placed in a work-study program wherein I drove you into New York as you pursued more expertise in your field. I was so impressed by your wit, your humor and your grace in our interactions. I so enjoyed those drives into New York and I can't believe I was entrusted with such an important function. I cannot believe almost 50 years have passed. You are a remarkable person, such a resource for the college and all the religious who I hope have learned from you.
I regret that circumstances prevent me from being in attendance on Sunday. In closing, may I add the obvious: the world needs more people like you. Best always,
Mathilda Heintz Gottlieb
'67
10/25/13, 04:46 pm
Fr. Allan Fitzgerald, O.S.A.
Dear Sister Mary,
Remembering past conversations and remembering your wonderful contributions to the study of St. Augustine and to Villanova University, I want to extend my congratulations and best wishes to you as you celebrate 100 years.
I am sure that Fr. Robert Russell is looking down from his place in the Kingdom. I will let Fr. Russell DeSimone know of the celebration in the next day or so; he is very fragile but will join me in prayerful remembrance.
Sister Mary, thank you for your many gifts to scholarship and to the community of scholars that you so beautifully exemplify.
Fr. Allan Fitzgerald, O.S.A.
The Augustinian Institute
Villanova University
10/25/13, 03:05 pm
Elaine Provenzano
Dear Sister Clark:
Congratulations on the momentous occasion of your 100th birthday! You have touched so many people in your lifetime, and they have been forever changed by your wisdom, insight, faith, and of course, your quick wit.
It has truly been an honor and privilege to learn from you, as both a student in your class, and as a member of the Manhattanville Community. Your remarkable history here at Manhattanville and your contributions to the Library’s collection and archives will be invaluable to both past and future generations of students.
Thank you for your generosity, and may God continue to bless you with good health and all good gifts.
Fondly,
Elaine
10/25/13, 01:33 pm
John Murray
Dear Mary,
You have been a much loved and admired colleague, neighbor, and friend over my 38 years at Manhattanville, those years but a speck in the sand beside your extraordinary service to this dear college and its students over so many years. You have meant so much to all of us here, wit your wise counsel, cutting edge scholarship, and robust wit. All of us here at Manhattanville are in your debt, and join in wishing you the Happiest Birthday ever.
With Love,
John Murray
10/25/13, 01:11 am
Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
Dear Sister,
The Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Bryn Mawr sends warm wishes your way for a wonderful 100th birthday celebration!
May God continue to bless you.
Your friends at the Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Bryn Mawr.
10/23/13, 03:32 pm
Richard Cummins
Dear Sister,
I have had the privilege and the blessing of knowing you for more than fifty years. I have learned from your faith, benefited from your great learning and been an object of your Christian kindness. Many of your students have benefited from your work with NFCCS and your unceasing support of racial progress.
May God continue to bless you.
Richard Cummins
10/17/13, 08:34 pm
Marylee Santoro
Sister Clark, your wisdom and love touched many generations of Manhattanville Alumni. Thank you. Blessings and Best wishes to you always.
Marylee Santoro '87
10/23/13, 05:56 pm
Gillian Greenhill Hannum
Dear Sister Clark:
You are and have been an inspiration to so many of us - an incredibly productive scholar who always focused on the needs of each, individual student; a progressive leader of social reform; an active alumna with a real love for her alma mater.... The list could go on and on.
Incredibly, the one weekend this fall when I am to be out of town (at a wedding for a member of my husband's family) is the weekend of your big party! Please know that I am very much there in spirit and hope you have a very special day. I will be thinking of you.
Fondly,
Gillian
10/09/13, 09:56 pm
Jill Hanson
Dear Sister Clark: so many years ago now, when you let us use the Social Action Room to plan our teach-in at Manhattanville - the first ever at a Catholic college. We plotted and planned late into the night. One night, one of us decided we should try to get Sen. Fulbright to be one of our speakers - so she called Information, got his telephone number (home number) and called him, at 10 p.m. He answered the phone himself, and very politely explained that he could not come. We found that you had left the radio tuned to a strange station in NYC - WBAI, so we listened to it. It was funny and gave us information and a perspective on the world that we never thought about before.
Thank you for permitting us to grow in the light of the Social Action Room!
09/27/13, 03:37 pm
Tina Willcox
Dear Sister Clark,
Your ears must have been ringing recently when two generations of members of the Willcox (Odiorne, Tenney) clan had a summer lunch together. You are fondly remembered. And mentioned as a wonderful role model for the inspired life you lead. We are so proud to know you and share the Overbrook, Manhattanville connection. Thank you for making a difference in so many lives, God Bless You and Happy Birthday. Your loving child, Tina Willcox
09/27/13, 02:01 pm
Corky Treacy Thompson '61
Dear Sister Clark,
It always brightened my day when you dropped by the Alumni Office to chat a bit -- and even drop a bit of gossip. But most of all, I love that you always challenged my mind (from the day you gave me my first "C"), and encouraged me, as you did all of your students and friends, to think for myself. You have always had a great wit -- and a great laugh! God bless you and Happy, Happy Birthday!
Very fondly,
Corky
09/27/13, 03:57 am
kathleen De Luca
Congratulations Sr. Clark on attaining this fabulous age.I shall always remember our lunchroom chats in Faculty StaffDining Room.You always loved to hear about my grandchildren and my trips to California.We loved hearing about your love of Augustine and the many books that you wrote about him.Keep well Sr. and I will keep in touch with you.Kathleen DeLuca(Kay)
09/24/13, 06:29 pm
Lani Phelan Owen
Dear Mother Clark,
You have enriched so many lives especially mine. You encouraged me to become involved in the civil rights movement in the early sixties. It was due to your influence that the Social Action Secretariat was established at Manhattanville. Congratulations on your 100th birthday. Your loving child, Lani Phelan Owen '61
09/16/13, 03:00 pm
Louise Glynn `52
Dear "Mother Clark"
I remember in 1949, you whistling your way down the halls of the "old castle" to check that we were all in our rooms at 10.
I was outside my room and jumped into my outside closet in the hall. I knocked against the hangar bar and it detached and all the hangars rang as I supported the bar on my back. You stopped and stood outside my closet door, whistling softly just to frighten me. Then you moved on, leaving me with giddy with relief and gratitude.
Then in my Latin class, I came upon a sheaf of inky translations that I ought not to have had. I left them out on my desk, and they disappeared after you had walked the halls one morning! Nothing to be said.
We all respected and adored you!
I am not surprised that you have lived to be 100! Have a very Happy Birthday!
Louise Glynn '52
09/09/13, 02:43 pm
Karen Tsakos
To my dear Salzberg Cafe partner and my dearly beloved Godmother, whose presence and participation when I joined the Roman Catholic Church in Rye those years ago----and who often told me that my spiritual trials were "merely ontological---' I thank her for being one of the most important and beloved people in my life---which would have been much less interesting without her. Happy Birthday with all my heart.
08/15/13, 10:13 pm